Automotive skills gap a ‘safety-critical’ issue in 2026
Autotech Group has warned that the widening automotive skills gap will become a safety-critical issue in 2026.
It says that advancing vehicle technology, stricter legislation and continued workforce pressures have combined to make repair skills the defining issue in the sector.
Almost a quarter of new cars sold into the UK market last year were electric, but electrification is just one of the new technologies changing the landscape of the collision repair sector.
Workshops are now expected to support ADAS, connected diagnostics and software-defined architectures, but fewer than a third of technicians are EV-qualified and the percentage is even lower when it comes to ADAS skills.
Convergence of pressures
Simon King, CEO, Autotech Group, said: “Today’s technicians are expected to interpret data, calibrate safety-critical systems, operate manufacturer software and navigate evolving regulatory frameworks. Workshops must also develop the capability to integrate new software, manage data confidently and adapt workflows as vehicles become more connected and software defined.”
He continued: “What makes 2026 different is the convergence of pressures. Market growth, electrification, regulation and workforce change are all landing at once. On their own, each would be manageable. Together, they fundamentally change how the aftermarket must operate.
“This is no longer a discussion about future skills needs. Workforce capability now underpins compliance, access to vehicle systems, customer trust and the ability to realise value from technological investment.
“Cars may increasingly diagnose faults, update software and schedule maintenance automatically, but responsibility for safety, security and trust will continue to sit firmly with people. Treating recruitment, training and technology as separate issues is no longer viable.”
King concluded:
“The industry does not lack insight. It lacks alignment. As vehicles, regulations and expectations evolve together, workforce readiness must evolve with them. That means clearer career pathways, training that reflects real-world complexity and a more integrated approach to how people and technology are deployed.”
