Any future government needs to ensure that the current skills gap in the automotive industry, including the independent aftermarket, is addressed urgently.
The comments come from Steve Horne, CEP of GSF Car Parts, who suggested that the industry is facing a skills gap ‘timebomb’. He added that the situation is creating an artificial straitjacket around independent garages, stifling the markets potential and increasing costs.
With the UK general election on 4 July, there is an opportunity for any new government to help the automotive sector, especially the aftermarket, which contributes greatly to the economy.
Skills gap a ‘straitjacket’
“The skills gap currently facing the sector is a huge ticking timebomb, and it only seems to be getting wider and wider,” commented Horne. “This is incredibly painful for garages that are successfully winning work and looking to grow.
“The skills gap is a straitjacket around the growth ambitions of the entire sector. Finding people is a real challenge for the sector, and there is no sign that this will let up any time soon.
“As a company, GSF Car Parts want to grow too. We have invested millions in scaling our business and driving growth, but our success depends on our customers being able to thrive. And for that, they need skilled technicians in big numbers.”
Horne also added that the skills gap could have a detrimental impact on UK consumers, reducing choice, competition and ultimately driving up the costs of motoring when many are already feeling the pinch with the move to an EV future.
Competing markets
The skills gap issue is not a new one. The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) highlighted recently that there are around 22,000 vacancies in the motor trades, with a rate of four vacancies for every 100 employees. This puts the industry joint first with the accommodation and food service market when it comes to unfilled positions.
One problem is that the automotive industry is now competing with the technology sector when it comes to inspiring young people and recruiting them into the fold. Whereas the industry of the past was purely engineering and mechanical, today’s cars feature software defined systems, sensors and electronics that require a way of thinking similar to other industries.
“We need to sort this out, and quickly,” commented Horne. “We need to direct more young people to the sector, give the industry a name as an ideal career destination, whilst opening more routes for young people.
“The independent garage sector has been in the shadows too long. There are exceptional people working in skilled roles on incredibly complex vehicle technologies. The public’s perception may be of people twirling spanners, but technicians need a raft of skills to deal with today’s cars.
“At the end of the day, motorists are what keep our society and economy moving. But cars need to be maintained safely and effectively, and at the moment, it sometimes feels we’re going into a battle with a blunt knife.”
