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Recruitment & HR

Motor trade vacancies down due to weak recruitment, IMI finds

In May, there were 2.3 vacancies per 100 employees, down 28% year-on-year, and down 41% compared with two years ago.

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The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has found that vacancies in the motor trade fell during May, due to weak recruitment.

In May, there were 2.3 vacancies per 100 employees, down 28% year-on-year, and down 41% compared with two years ago.

A total of 13,000 positions are estimated to be open across the industry.

The IMI warned that there is still demand for technical staff, but recruitment is down due to cautiousness from employers.

It said that there is persistent demand for technicians and specialist workshop staff, which is creating workforce pressures sector-wide.

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Among all 23 industries, the motor trade had the ninth-highest vacancy rate, placing it slightly higher than the average.

Most recruitment in the motor trade focused on technicians, mechanics and electricians, at 72% of all postings in May, an increase of 17% year-on-year.

Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) technician recruitment was up 17% year-on-year, while vehicle body builder recruitment was up 24%.

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Recruitment for electric vehicle (EV) related roles was down 38%, marking the second full year of decline.

The fastest-growing skills were invoicing (up 15%), field service management (up 14%) and business development (13%).

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Simon King, CEO at Autotech Group, said: “At first glance, some may see falling vacancy numbers as a sign that the skills shortage is easing, but the reality is far more nuanced.

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“The latest IMI data shows employers are becoming more selective about where they recruit, while continuing to prioritise the technical skills required to keep workshops productive and profitable.

“Demand for skilled technicians, diagnostics expertise and specialist capability remains strong.

“The challenge facing employers today isn’t simply recruitment. It’s how they find, develop, support and retain the skilled people they need both now and in the future.

“Too often, recruitment, training, retention and productivity are treated as separate conversations when in reality they’re all interconnected.

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“A workforce gap doesn’t simply create a hiring issue. It impacts workshop throughput, customer experience, technician wellbeing and ultimately profitability.”

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