Ryan FowlerWith UK unemployment climbing, the automotive aftermarket is being urged to position itself as part of the solution by making careers in garages and bodyshops more visible, accessible and clearly future-facing.
Official figures show that between August and October 2025 there were 1.83 million unemployed people in the UK, with the unemployment rate rising to 5.1%.
Youth unemployment is also increasing, with 735,000 people aged 16–24 unemployed over the same period, representing a 16% unemployment rate.
At the same time, garages and bodyshops continue to report skills shortages, driven not by a lack of work but by the pace of change across the sector.
The increasing adoption of EV technology, ADAS, calibration readiness, advanced materials, modern paint systems, structural repair techniques and digital estimating is raising capability requirements across the aftermarket.
Against that backdrop, the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event is placing skills, training and career development at the heart of its 2026 event.
The show returns to the NEC Birmingham on 3rd and 4th June 2026 and will bring together more than 200 suppliers and over 5,000 professionals from across the garage, bodyshop and vehicle detailing sectors.
The 2026 event will feature more than 80 hours of free training, live demonstrations and practical sessions, aimed at helping technicians and business owners build confidence in both current skills and those required as the industry continues to evolve.
Organisers say events such as UKGBE also have a role to play in addressing the attraction challenge facing the aftermarket.
With unemployment rising, the focus needs to shift from questioning where technicians are, to how clearer and more welcoming pathways into the industry can be created.
This includes stronger links with colleges and training providers, better apprenticeships, mentoring, and entry routes that support people willing to learn, even if they are new to the sector.
Joanne Knowles, event director at Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of UKGBE, said: “Those unemployment figures are a reminder that there are thousands of people, especially young people, who want a real opportunity.
“The aftermarket can offer exactly that – a practical, skilled career with progression, purpose and long-term security.
“UKGBE is designed to bring the industry together around skills, not just to showcase innovation, but to make training more accessible, build confidence through hands-on learning, and help garages and bodyshops connect with the next generation of talent.”
