IMI calls for apprenticeship reform
The Institute of the Motor Industry has called for urgent apprenticeship reform following the government’s pledge to support young people.
In a key speech, Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer said: “Every child should have the opportunity to go as far as their talent or effort takes them. We will go much further on our investment in apprenticeships. We will make sure every young person struggling to find work will get a guaranteed offer of a job, training or a work placement.”
However, the IMI believes this ambition will fall short if it is not supported by meaningful reform of the apprenticeship system.
It is now urging reform to:
- Safeguard quality and smooth delivery to enable apprenticeships to remain the gold standard for producing work-ready individuals
- Give employers genuine flexibility to invest levy funds where they see the greatest need
- Make the system simple and accessible, particularly for SMEs
- Align national and regional delivery
- Support the attraction of new talent into the sector through complementary campaigns and pathways.
Skilled technicians
Nick Connor, CEO of the IMI said: “The Prime Minister’s pledge to go much further in investing in apprenticeships, technical excellence colleges, and provision for young people struggling to find a job is exactly what our sector needs.
“With the UK’s transition to electric vehicles accelerating, demand for skilled technicians has never been greater, yet apprenticeship starts in automotive have fallen by 30% over the past decade, leaving skills gaps in critical areas like EV maintenance, diagnostics, and emerging technologies.
“We also know that levy funds in automotive are underused in comparison to other sectors, limiting investment in training at the pace and scale needed.
“We share the Prime Minister’s conviction that every young person deserves a clear, high-quality pathway into work. The automotive industry offers exactly that – modern, technology-driven careers. But the system is not working for our sector. We need reform now.”
