Autotech Academy has warned that a lack of job opportunities for newly-qualified technicians remains one of the industry’s greatest threats.
This comes after the government highlighted the scale of youth unemployment in the UK in its Young People and Work: interim report, which revealed nearly a million people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, training or employment.
The report further predicts this number to rise to 1.25 million by the early 2030s.
Autotech Academy was formed five years ago to help vehicle technicians secure their first role in the industry, after reports that up to 10,000 automotive students were turning their back on the industry because they could not get a job.
It has since placed more than 500 interns at workshops across the country, but says the challenge of landing a first job remains as real as ever.
Job opportunities
Simon King, CEO of Autotech Academy, said: “Five years ago, we recognised the industry wasn’t necessarily struggling to attract young people into automotive, it was struggling to transition them into employment.
“What we continue to see today is a generation of qualified young people who are motivated, capable and work-ready, but who simply need somebody to give them that first opportunity.
“The wider national conversation around youth employment and work experience makes this issue even more relevant today than when we launched. Employers are crying out for talent, while qualified students are still struggling to gain the practical experience needed to secure a permanent role.
“If the automotive industry wants to strengthen its long-term workforce, we have to stop losing qualified people before their careers have even started.”
