“Import more mechanics” is the call from one aftermarket recruitment firm to the new Labour government as the sector’s skills shortage continues to cause headaches.
As reported, the aftermarket is in an employment pit with vacancy rates at 5.1 per 100 employees, its highest point in 21 years.
Moreover, figures from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) predict a shortfall of 160,000 workers in the automotive sector within the decade
Easy2Recruit, which helps garages hire overseas talent, urges new Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to add mechanics to the Immigration Salary List, the official list of skilled jobs for which workers are deemed to be in short supply. This replaced the previous Shortage Occupations List, which included a wider range of roles.
“The garage sector has a growing skills crisis,” said Ambi Singh, founder of Easy2Recruit. “The new Home Secretary is in a position to swiftly help both the industry and its millions of motorist customers by making it easier to bring mechanics in from abroad to keep Britain moving.”
Singh added: “The ongoing staffing shortfall is set to grow, and this will prevent the UK automotive industry from functioning effectively, especially as we move towards sustainable and electric vehicles.
“If mechanics are added to the Immigration Salary List now, garages won’t grind to a halt later.”
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