IMI urges skills investment

The Institute of the Motor Industry has urged the government to improve funding for skills training in today’s Spring Statement.

It said the skills crisis was as bad as it’s been for 20 years, and will only become more acute without proper investment.

IMI CEO Steve Nash said: “There’s no question the Chancellor has a number of pressing issues it’s hoped he will address in the Spring statement. But the IMI’s latest analysis of vacancies in the automotive sector highlights just how critical the skills situation is.

“We have been calling for the Government to inject funding specifically into training to work on electric vehicles; but frankly right now businesses need help to bring on talent right across all areas of skills.

“More needs to be done to help employers upskill their workforce. Retraining those currently out of work also needs to be addressed as a matter of priority. The massive advances in technology in automotive offer a wealth of opportunity; it’s critical therefore that the training is available for individuals who want to be part of what is an incredibly exciting sector.”

New analysis from the IMI has found that automotive vacancies are at their highest level for 20 years – at more than 23,000 – accounting for approximately four per cent of the workforce.