Industry challenges revealed

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【Summary】The IMI annual report shows a decrease in businesses and job roles in the automotive industry, but a rise in vacancies to a 21-year high. The sector is facing challenges and a growing skills gap, with only 19% of the workforce being female and 39% aged under 35. Upskilling and diversity are crucial to ensure the industry can adapt to evolving technology and attract the best employees.

FutureCar Staff Aug 17, 2023 12:02 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, while the number of businesses and job roles in the industry has decreased, the number of vacancies has reached a 21-year high.

Currently, there are 758,000 jobs in the automotive sector, which is a slight increase from the 742,600 jobs recorded in 2022. Out of these jobs, 78% are within the retail sector, while the remaining 22% are in the automotive field.

On the other hand, the number of businesses in the industry 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 report indicates that the number of job roles has fallen from 218 to 213 due to the implementation of new technologies.

One concerning finding from the report is that only 19% of the automotive sector is made up of females, while 39% are aged under 35. These statistics highlight the need for increased diversity and support within the industry.

Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI, expressed his concerns about the current state of the industry. He emphasized the importance of upskilling to address the growing skills gap and ensure that businesses can adapt to evolving automotive technology. Nash also stressed the need for more support and training to attract and equip the best future employees across all roles.

Furthermore, Nash highlighted the importance of increasing diversity within the sector. He mentioned that while there is a larger number of young people joining the automotive industry, the decrease in the proportion of women is a cause for concern. Nash believes that a more diverse sector will be stronger, more successful, and better able to serve every motorist in the UK.

In conclusion, the IMI Baseline Report sheds light on the current state of the automotive industry. While there has been a decrease in the number of businesses and job roles, the number of vacancies has reached a 21-year high. It is crucial for the industry to address the skills gap, provide more support and training, and increase diversity to ensure its continued success in the face of technological advancements.