HR leaders from across the automotive sector met in London last month in a show of industry unity, aiming to combat one of its most urgent threats: the growing skills shortage.
Hosted by Autotech Group, the “Creative Workforce Strategies for Automotive HR Leaders” event brought together senior professionals from major OEMs and dealer groups – including Volvo, Toyota, Citygate Group, Lookers and Halfords – to collaborate on developing practical, long-term workforce solutions.
With more than 17,000 vacancies currently recorded and a projected need for 130,000 qualified technicians by 2032, according to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the urgency to align efforts across the sector has never been greater.
“In automotive, there has always been a battle for talent,” said Sian Dodd, project manager at Toyota GB. “Finding technicians continues to be a chronic challenge that we need to address through radically different approaches to attracting and retaining great people.”
HR experts from across the sector shared innovative recruitment strategies, case studies, and ideas for improving retention and diversity.
Autotech Group also officially launched its Navigating Talent Shortages guide – a comprehensive, cross-industry resource featuring insights from Toyota & Lexus, Motus Truck & Van, Veolia, GiPA and others.
Autotech Group CEO Simon King said: “The Creative Workforce Strategies event wasn’t just a conversation; it was a call to collective action. By sharing ideas and taking bold steps, we can transform this crisis into an opportunity for reinvention.”