Glen Callum urges employers to spread the skills net
Glen Callum is tackling the skills shortage in the UK aftermarket by challenging employers to look beyond the sector for new talent.
It said many businesses still insist that candidates ‘must have aftermarket experience’ but suggested that approach is depriving them access to a much wider talent pool.
While many roles in the sector do require industry experience and expertise, the rapid change within the automotive aftermarket means that new skills are required and Glen Callum believes these can be found in other industries.
The company said: “To the uninitiated, the aftermarket might appear traditional, but it’s anything but. Behind the scenes, it’s grappling with supply chain resilience, EV readiness, shifting customer demands and data-led decision-making. This creates an opening for seasoned professionals from sectors such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, retail, ecommerce and technology to bring in a new layer of expertise.”
Leadership
It continued: “At Glen Callum Associates, we’ve recruited leadership talent into the aftermarket for over 25 years. The message we consistently hear from employers is clear: ‘We need fresh thinking, diverse insight and the confidence to lead through change.’
“That doesn’t just mean young talent; it means new talent. Executives from line functions in manufacturing, FMCG, aerospace or OEMs bring valuable experience. Commercial directors, operations managers and systems analysts fluent in automation, digital transformation and customer strategy can all inject new energy into the aftermarket’s evolution. Increasingly, knowledge of sustainability, ESG frameworks and low-carbon operations is also in demand.
“Many of these capabilities are abundant outside the sector. The challenge, and the opportunity, is to connect them with forward-thinking employers in the aftermarket who are ready to embrace change.”
Wider talent pool
Glen Callum concluded: “We help our clients to reframe their expectations, revisit job specs and focus on leadership potential, rather than industry history. Through structured onboarding, mentoring and peer learning, we help businesses unlock that potential and set up new leaders for success.
“The aftermarket doesn’t need leaders who will maintain the status quo. It needs leaders who will challenge, innovate and build its future. They may not be working in this industry today, but they’re out there. The question is: will your business be open enough to find them?”
