‘Import more mechanics’ plea to ease auto skills crisis

18 July 2024  

Easy2Recruit is calling on the new home secretary to add mechanics to the official list of skilled jobs deemed in short supply in the UK.

The agency, which specialises in helping UK garages and automotive businesses hire high-quality overseas talent, has called on Yvette Cooper (pictured) to help ease the growing skills crisis in the garage sector by adding mechanics to the Immigration Salary List (ISL).

Ambi Singh, founder of Easy2Recruit, said yesterday the move was vital to tackle the growing skills crisis in the garage sector.

“The new home secretary is in a position to swiftly help both the industry and its millions of motorist customers, by making it easier to bring mechanics in from abroad to keep Britain moving,” Singh said.

“If mechanics are added to the ISL now, garages won’t grind to a halt later.”

‘Shortfall set to grow’

The ISL, published in April as the successor to the Shortage Occupations List, includes 23 skilled jobs, according to Singh. 

“I wrote to the previous home secretary at the start of 2024 requesting the inclusion of vehicle technicians, mechanics, and electricians (SOC Code 5321) in the Shortage Occupation List.”

Now Easy2Recruit has asked for the immediate addition of SOC Code 5321 and SOC Code 5232 — vehicle body builders and repairers — to the ISL.

“The ongoing staffing shortfall is set to grow, and this will prevent the UK automotive industry from functioning effectively, especially as we move towards sustainable and electric vehicles,” Singh said.

Last month, GSF Car Parts CEO Steve Horne warned that the ongoing skills gap in the UK’s automotive sector was an “artificial straitjacket” around UK independent garages stifling potential and increasing costs for motorists.