The NBRA has launched a new jobs platform in a bid to retain talent within the industry and support those who find themselves out of work.
The new site – www.repairjobs.co.uk – allows employers to post jobs for free and search for potential candidates. Candidates can also register, search for jobs, and create profiles for potential employers to view.
The site is designed for all job roles in the industry, not just technical, and is hoped to provide help to ‘industry friends and colleagues’.
Chris Weeks, NBRA executive director, said, ‘The impact of Covid-19 on repair volumes has meant that we have seen a huge increase in the number of highly skilled and experienced people being made redundant.
‘This situation is likely to be further impacted when the furlough scheme ends in October.
‘The devastating news last Friday of the 540 redundancies made by Nationwide further compounds this problem.’
He continued, ‘Before Covid-19 hit we had a skills crisis on our hands, and unless the industry acts quickly a sizeable pool of very talented individuals will leave the industry – maybe for good.
‘If ‘normal’ levels of repair volumes return in 6 or 12 months’ time, we are going to have a very different crisis on our hands, with a significantly reduced workforce.’