A new mindset is critical to support the industry as it shifts from automotive to mobility.
Matt Wiggington, Director of Partnerships, Engagement and Income at industry charity Ben, has highlighted a shortage of skills as a critical challenge and urged the sector to change the way it approaches recruitment and retention to appeal to the next generation.
He explained how the workforce is ageing and a lack of apprentices is creating a significant skills shortage that will only intensify, with wages rising in parallel.
He said that while the technology in the industry should appeal to young people, only 16% of those surveyed by the IMI would consider a career in automotive.
Matt said, “Attracting new workers into the industry requires a completely different mentality, which the automotive industry will need to consider adapting.”
He also said that the emergence of electric and self-driving cars is having a major impact on repairs and services, placing an ever-greater emphasis on training, while suggesting that dealerships will have to rethink their business models in the future.
He explained, “A lot of dealerships will need to install charging stations and then sell other products and services to those who come to charge their cars. Additionally, the shift to an agency model means retailers will move towards transactional delivery.”
However, none of this will be possible without a new wave of talent entering the sector.
Matt concluded, “There’s a unique opportunity for the younger generation to help shape automotive – or ‘mobility’ as it could become known. The future of our industry requires a whole new skillset.”
