18,000-technician ADAS skills gap identified by IMI

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【Summary】The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) warns of an 18,000-technician skills gap in the UK for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). With around 3,500 ADAS-qualified technicians currently in the country, the IMI highlights the risk to road safety and urges collaboration to address the skills gap and prepare for the increasing prevalence of autonomous vehicles.

FutureCar Staff Nov 03, 2023 11:19 PM PT

18,000-technician ADAS skills gap identified by IMI

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) predicts that by the end of this year, approximately one in 10 cars on UK roads will have Level 2 autonomy. Looking ahead to 2030, this number is expected to increase to almost half of the car parc.

However, the IMI's latest data reveals that there are currently only around 3,500 ADAS-qualified technicians in the UK. This creates a significant gap of approximately 18,000 technicians needed to meet the current ADAS requirements.

Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI, expresses concern over the lack of focus on upskilling for ADAS amidst the industry's preparations for electric vehicles. He emphasizes that ADAS technology is already present in vehicles on UK roads, and with a limited number of technicians qualified in this area, there is a serious risk to road safety.

Nash stresses the importance of maintaining modern, high-tech vehicles and highlights the shortage of suitably trained technicians as a crisis. He points out that this shortage becomes even more critical when considering the government's ambitions for autonomous vehicles. It is crucial for all stakeholders, including the government, to recognize the significant economic and road safety consequences of the existing skills gap. Nash calls for collaborative efforts to ensure more technicians gain the necessary qualifications to protect the industry and road users as the future of autonomous driving approaches.