Member Article

Skills gap facing UK automotive sector, recruiter suggests

A growing skills gap faces the UK automotive industry, according to research by North East-based First Class Technical Recruitment.

78% of companies in the automotive industry believe there is a shortage of skills within the sector and are experiencing difficulties sourcing qualified candidates.

These companies highlighted engineering based roles as the most difficult to fill, specifically hybrid disciplines and manufacturing maintenance specialists.

The percieved shortages are leading some firms to increase their graduate or apprentice intake, retrain internal staff and also look overseas to fill skilled positions.

Matthew Bowey, automotive consultant at First Class Technical Recruitment, said: “With only 22 percent of companies in the automotive sector able to effectively source suitable employees it is clear that the industry is facing a significant skills gap.

“The challenge the companies are facing cannot be ignored. Without a sufficient pool of candidates to draw from the automotive industry’s progress will be stifled.

“The industry is proving to be the driving force behind the manufacturing sector’s recovery and is therefore a very attractive market. Companies should consider sourcing candidates from other industries with transferable skills.

“It provides a clear warning that the next generation of skilled workers must be developed before the skills gap widens, damaging the UK’s automotive industry permanently.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .