Industry challenges revealed

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【Summary】The IMI annual report reveals that the automotive industry is facing challenges, with a decrease in businesses and job roles, but an increase in vacancies. There are currently 758,000 jobs in the sector, with 78% in retail and 22% in automotive. The number of businesses has fallen to 98,500, and job roles have decreased due to increased technology. Only 19% of the sector is female, and efforts to increase diversity and upskill the workforce are needed to address the skills gap.

FutureCar Staff Aug 12, 2023 6:20 AM PT

The annual Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Baseline Report has revealed some interesting findings about the automotive industry. According to the report, although the number of businesses and job roles in the industry has fallen, there has been an increase in vacancies, reaching a 21-year high.

The report states that there are currently 758,000 jobs in the automotive sector, which is slightly higher than the 742,600 recorded in 2022. Out of these jobs, 78% are in retail, while the remaining 22% are in the automotive sector.

On the other hand, the number of businesses has decreased from 100,000 in 2022 to 98,500. It is worth noting that 97% of these businesses are in automotive retail. Additionally, the number of job roles has also seen a decline, going from 218 to 213. This decrease can be attributed to the increasing use of technology in the industry.

The report also highlights the lack of diversity in the sector. Only 19% of the workforce are female, and 39% are under the age of 35. These statistics indicate a need for more efforts to attract a more diverse range of individuals to the industry.

Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI, expressed concern about the high number of vacancies and the decreasing number of businesses in the industry. He emphasized the importance of upskilling to ensure that the remaining businesses can meet the evolving needs of customers as automotive technology advances. Nash also stressed the urgency of filling the growing skills gap to ensure that the automotive sector can continue to serve customers effectively.

Nash believes that more support and training are essential to equip the existing and future workforce with the necessary skills. He also emphasized the need to increase diversity in the sector, stating that a more diverse workforce will make the industry stronger, more successful, and better equipped to serve all motorists in the UK.