Industry challenges revealed

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【Summary】The annual IMI Baseline Report reveals that job roles in the automotive industry have fallen, but vacancies are at a 21-year high. There are 758,000 jobs in the sector, with 78% in retail and 22% in automotive. The number of businesses has also decreased, and only 19% of the sector are female. The CEO of IMI emphasizes the need to address the skills gap and increase diversity in the industry.

FutureCar Staff Aug 20, 2023 7:03 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, the number of businesses and job roles in the industry has actually decreased, but there has been a rise in vacancies, reaching a 21-year high.

Currently, there are 758,000 jobs in the automotive sector, which is slightly higher than the 742,600 jobs recorded in 2022. Out of these jobs, 78% are in retail and the remaining 22% are in other automotive-related roles.

In terms of businesses, there has been a decrease from 100,000 in 2022 to 98,500. The majority of these businesses, 97% to be precise, are in automotive retail. Additionally, the number of job roles has also fallen from 218 to 213 due to the increasing use of technology.

One concerning finding from the report is the lack of diversity within the sector. Only 19% of the workforce in the automotive industry are female, and 39% are aged under 35. These statistics suggest that there is a need for more efforts to attract a more diverse range of individuals to the industry.

Steve Nash, the CEO of the IMI, expressed his concerns about the findings, stating that the high number of vacancies is a reflection of the ongoing challenges faced by the sector. 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 addressing the growing skills gap in order to continue serving customers effectively.

Nash further highlighted the need for increased support and training to equip the existing and future workforce. He emphasized that a more diverse sector would be stronger, more successful, and better able to serve all motorists in the UK. Nash called for collaborative efforts to attract a more diverse range of individuals to the industry, particularly women, as their representation has declined.

In conclusion, the IMI Baseline Report sheds light on the current state of the automotive industry. While there has been a decrease in businesses and job roles, the rise in vacancies poses a challenge for the sector. Addressing the skills gap and promoting diversity are crucial for the industry's future success.