The automotive sector is haemorrhaging talent at precisely the moment it needs to upskill faster than ever before, says Jacqui Barker, global OEM strategy director at Keyloop.
With ~17,000 vacancies across the UK as of April 2025 and Ireland issuing 400+ emergency employment permits for mechanics, we’re not managing a temporary blip; we’re staring down a structural crisis that threatens the entire industry’s ability to transition to electric vehicles and meet modern consumer expectations.
The numbers tell a stark story. The Institute of the Motor Industry warns of a 35,700 technician shortfall by 2030, with a 22,500-technician EV skills gap by 2035. Only 24% of UK technicians are currently EV-qualified, and just 2% hold ADAS certifications. Meanwhile, the industry contributes £37bn to the UK economy and employs 866,000 people across 100,000+ businesses. The maths doesn’t work.
Apprenticeships: we’re still not making it attractive enough
The apprenticeship pipeline isn’t just underperforming; it’s fundamentally broken. Young people don’t see automotive as a desirable career path, and frankly, we’ve done little to change that perception. The stigma around “getting your hands dirty” persists, while salaries for newly qualified technicians often lag behind other trades and entry-level positions in tech.
Workshops are struggling to fill vacancies, with many positions remaining open for months. When they do recruit, 55% of UK garages increased wages in 2024 just to attract talent—a short-term fix that doesn’t address the underlying supply problem.
What’s needed? A complete rethink of how we position automotive careers to school leavers. This means:
- Showcasing the technology: Modern workshops are high-tech environments working with software diagnostics, ADAS calibration and battery systems; we’re talking about a whole new set of skills
- Clear progression pathways: Demonstrating how a technician role can evolve into specialist diagnostics, workshop management or technical training
- Competitive starting salaries: If we expect young people to commit to multi-year apprenticeships, we need to make it financially viable from day one
The most successful automotive apprenticeship schemes I’ve seen are those that partner directly with colleges and offer immediate exposure to cutting-edge technology. When apprentices are working on hybrid and electric powertrains from the outset, they’re not just learning; they’re preparing for the future of the sector.
Vocational education: bridging the EV skills chasm
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: our vocational education system is still largely geared towards internal combustion engines at a time when nearly one in four new cars sold in the UK is a BEV. That disconnect is creating a dangerous knowledge gap.
The regional disparities are staggering. While the East of England has 9.5% of technicians EV-qualified, Northern Ireland sits at just 3.7%. Ireland is seeing workshops rely on just one EV specialist; a model that’s completely unsustainable as electric vehicle adoption accelerates.
This isn’t just about high-voltage certification, though that’s critical. It’s about ensuring that every automotive professional understands:
- Battery diagnostics and health assessment
- Software updates and over-the-air capabilities
- ADAS sensor calibration and testing
- Thermal management systems
- The unique safety protocols required for electric powertrains
Organisations like the AA Ireland Training Academy are scaling training to meet this demand, but we need a sector-wide commitment to continuous professional development. OEMs, retailers and independent workshops must invest in upskilling their existing workforce, not just recruit EV-qualified technicians who are already in short supply.
The consequence of inaction? Longer repair turnaround times, higher insurance premiums and service delays that directly impact customer satisfaction. When 48% of UK garages cite recruitment as a major hurdle, and workshops lack the capability to service the vehicles coming through their doors, we’re not just facing an operational issue – we’re risking customer loyalty.
Diversity: an untapped talent pool we’re still ignoring
Let’s be blunt: the diversity challenges in our industry continue to reign on, and it’s costing us dearly. Women represent a tiny fraction of automotive technicians, and ethnic minority representation is similarly low. At a time when we’re desperately short of talent, we’re excluding huge sections of the population from even considering automotive careers.
The barrier isn’t ability; it’s perception and access. Young women don’t see themselves reflected in workshop environments. Ethnic minorities face unconscious bias in recruitment. And parents still steer their children away from automotive because it doesn’t align with outdated notions of “professional” careers.
This has to change, and quickly. The most progressive retailers and OEMs are already taking action:
- Targeted outreach programmes in schools with diverse student populations
- Mentorship schemes pairing experienced technicians with underrepresented groups
- Inclusive recruitment practices that focus on aptitude and potential rather than traditional pathways
- Workplace culture shifts that make workshops welcoming environments for everyone
At Keyloop, we’ve seen first-hand how diverse teams drive better outcomes. Different perspectives lead to more innovative problem-solving, improved customer service and stronger team dynamics. To that end we support initiatives with Autocar, the 30%club and Empowering Auto which is launching in the UK in May 2026
Technology can’t fix culture, but it can help
While I’m passionate about addressing the human side of this crisis, I’d be remiss not to mention how technology can alleviate some pressure. Intelligent workshop management systems can optimise technician time, reducing the 45 minutes of idle time per day that many workshops experience. AI-powered diagnostics can accelerate fault identification. And digital service booking tools can smooth customer journeys, freeing technicians to focus on actual repairs.
But make no mistake; technology is a multiplier, not a replacement. You still need skilled people to leverage these tools effectively.
The real opportunity lies in using technology to make automotive careers more appealing. When apprentices see themselves working with cutting-edge diagnostics software, it changes the perception of the typical motor trade environment, and the sector suddenly looks a lot more attractive as a whole.
The path forward: urgency meets action
The technician shortage isn’t going to resolve itself. Demographic trends; an aging workforce retiring faster than we can recruit; mean the problem will only intensify without intervention.
What we need is a coordinated response across the entire ecosystem:
- OEMs must invest in training programmes that prepare technicians for the vehicles they’re building, not the ones they built 20 years ago
- Retailers need to create career pathways that demonstrate progression and reward continuous learning
- Government should incentivise apprenticeships and vocational training specifically in high-demand areas like EV maintenance
- Education institutions must update curricula to reflect modern automotive technology and partner closely with industry
It’s about being honest about where we’ve fallen short. We’ve talked about the skills gap for years while doing too little to fundamentally change how we attract, train and retain talent.
The automotive sector is at an inflection point. The transition to electric mobility is accelerating, consumer expectations are rising, and the workforce we have today isn’t sufficient for the challenges of tomorrow. We can either continue with incremental improvements that don’t move the needle or we can commit to transformational change across apprenticeships, education and diversity.
Author: Jacqui Barker, global OEM strategy director, Keyloop