Automotive employers facing toughest skills challenge
New data has revealed that more than nine in 10 automotive employers say they are unable to find the skilled recruits they need.
According to ManpowerGroup’s 2026 Talent Shortage Survey, 92% of companies in the automotive sector have admitted they can’t find skilled talent.
This compares to the national average of 73% and means automotive is facing the toughest hiring conditions of any industry in the UK
Engineering remains the hardest skill for automotive employers to source (46%), followed by manufacturing and production (25%).
Meanwhile, the data found that the skills challenge is particularly severe in the West Midlands, with the region central to electric vehicle development and innovation and companies in the area increasingly competing for the same pool of specialists.
New skills
Michael Stull, managing director, ManpowerGroup UK, said: “Automotive businesses are telling us they can’t get the skills they need, with engineering talent, in particular, in critically short supply.
“As the sector accelerates towards electrification and more technology‑driven roles, the need for new capabilities is growing faster than the talent available. Employers will only overcome these pressures by investing in upskilling and working closely with schools and colleges, to widen access to future‑focused skills.”
