A focus on green skills and new tech can make automotive a more attractive career option for young people, according to Institute of the Motor Industry.
Research commissioned by the IMI carried out by YouGov found that 52% of parents were more positive about their children joining the industry when they found out about its focus on sustainability and new technology.
The findings have been published in a new report, Green Skills for the Future: Report November 2025.
The report highlights the skills challenge facing the sector, identifies the jobs of the future that will be in demand, and calls for urgent action to attract new talent.
New perspective
Emma Carrigy, head of research, careers and inclusion at the IMI, said: “The research found that of the 90% of parents of children aged 14 to 17 who would consider an apprenticeship for their child, only 41% are likely to encourage them to pursue an apprenticeship in the automotive industry. That changed when the wide range of green and tech-focused roles was explained to them.
“The reality is the range of skills required is expanding significantly, but we need to shift the outdated misperception that the sector is dirty, male dominated and declining.
“The UK’s transition to net zero cannot succeed without a skilled workforce able to deliver it. Green skills are expanding rapidly, but training provision, funding flexibility and public perception have not yet caught up. Critically we need an Apprenticeship Levy that is fit for purpose, supporting short, stackable green modules for the thousands of SMEs that are the backbone of the sector.”
The report predicts that ‘green’ jobs will rise from 14% of the automotive workforce to nearly 30% by 2032, roles in data and IT will increase by 51%, while remanufacturing and recycling positions will rise by 23%.
Future roles:
- EV and energy systems technicians: the UK will require around 155,000 EV qualified technicians by 2035, up from 66,000 today
- Circular economy and end of life specialists: roles such as battery dismantlers and remanufacturing technicians are expanding rapidly
- Sustainability and carbon officers: ESG and carbon skills are increasingly in demand in dealer groups, logistics and manufacturing.
- Hydrogen and alternative energy engineers: expected to grow as pilot fleets scale from 2027.
- Digital green hybrid roles: specialists using data, diagnostics and environmental analytics across workshops and fleet operations.
Carrigy concluded: “This is not a story of fewer jobs, but of different jobs that demand cross disciplinary capability in engineering, data and sustainability. With around 60% of technicians expected to retire or exit by 2032, replacement demand alone will create thousands of entry points for new, diverse talent.
“The challenge is to ensure that the people filling those roles are equipped with the green, digital and inclusive skills the sector now requires.”
