Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar
Cars have rapidly evolved in recent years, thanks to technological advancements such as smart tech and advanced driver assistant systems. These new features, while great, contribute to an uptick of repairs, leaving some garages struggling to keep up. This is especially true if they do not have skilled or specialised technicians. So, how do we bridge the skills gap and attract the next generation of talent?
The answer is simple – apprenticeships.
Nearly 41% of garages struggled to find apprentices in 2024, and 48% expect the same in 2025, according to The Motor Ombudsman. With more than 20,000 vacancies in the UK automotive aftermarket and apprenticeship numbers falling, many garages are not able to fill essential roles.
Apprenticeship awareness within the automotive industry
At FixMyCar, we conducted a survey which revealed that a lack of interest and enthusiasm from garages for hiring apprentices is not the issue. Over a third of garage owners (34%) said they would be interested in hiring an apprentice in the future. The main issue is that garage owners do not know enough about how apprenticeship programmes work. This lack of awareness creates yet another recruitment barrier for these garages, as almost two-thirds (64%) of the garages polled said they do not feel they have enough information to be able to hire an apprentice. And, more than a quarter of these (28%) admitted that they have “no idea” about apprenticeships at all.
This data makes it clear that there is a knowledge gap which is creating a recruitment barrier for garages. It is important for the industry to come together and take responsibility to fix this issue. This change needs to start at the garage level by educating garage owners on the apprenticeship process as hiring apprentices is a must for future-proofing the industry.
Attracting new talent means the industry needs to focus on the future and innovate and embrace new technologies. By showing how exciting and evolving the industry is, we can attract new talent and make sure that it stays an appealing field to work in. Apprenticeship programmes play this role.
Step one to doing this is information sharing. For example, FixMyCar is providing all subscription garages on our network with an Apprenticeship Advice Guide. This will give our garages the key information they need to get started and will point them to the best resources for beginning their apprenticeship journey. It will also help them develop a well-rounded programme that young people will be interested in joining.
Training is the way forward
The UK repair industry is in the middle of an ongoing skills crisis. Investing in apprenticeships is a must for developing the skills needed to work on modern, high-tech vehicles safely and efficiently. Crucially, it is important for individual garage growth.
Working together and sharing knowledge as an industry can help aspiring mechanics get the practical, hands-on training they need to succeed. Providing training at work is another important step in creating a culture of learning within the workshop and getting people into the habit of always learning about new things in the automotive industry. An interesting partnership suggestion by Thatcham Research was for the government to work in collaboration with Skills England and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to raise apprenticeship funding caps. The rise in minimum wage for apprenticeships in April will also surely make these courses more appealing.
As cars are becoming more complex, working together with other garages would surely help remove the ongoing shortage and make it easier for businesses to train the next generation of skilled workers.
This brings us to the next question: How do we attract these young professionals to join these apprenticeship programmes and encourage them to pursue careers in the automotive repair industry? For starters, we need to shift the perception and rethink how automotive careers are viewed and valued.
Changing perception and rethinking automotive careers
As we know, the current generation is entrepreneurial and tech-savvy. With university fees rising, many young people are looking to take alternative routes to pursue their dream careers. So, there is a perfect opportunity for industries like automotive to attract talent.
To attract these young professionals, we also need to change outdated perceptions of the automotive repair industry. Once upon a time, it was viewed as purely manual labour, but today, it is a field driven by innovation. People need to see it as the dynamic and forward-thinking sector that it is and recognise all the opportunities that it presents. We must also shift perceptions at the school level by changing how the profession is seen. It is important for teachers and counsellors to tell students about the benefits of a career in the automotive repair industry, otherwise, students will lose interest in this path.
The automotive repair industry offers a clear, rewarding career path without the financial strain of a four-year degree. Starting as an apprentice, young individuals can develop advanced skills and become highly skilled technicians. They can even go on to become business owners if they are entrepreneurial in spirit and interested in that path.
By highlighting the sector’s impact and aligning it with the values of younger generations, who want careers that are both fulfilling and meaningful, we can change the way people look at the industry.
This is not just about filling vacancies; it is about creating an environment that emphasises the value of the profession and its role in shaping the future. If we can teach each other about the importance of training, mentorship, and industry partnerships, we will be able to create the next generation of automotive technicians. They will not only repair vehicles but also take the industry forward and lead technological advancements for years to come. And that is what this industry needs.
