The UK accident and repair sector is losing skilled workers at a rate that could increase repair times and costs, according to new research from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).
Its report, Understanding the UK Accident & Repair Workforce, found the sector loses around 4,700 workers annually through retirement and labour market churn, while only about 3,000 new entrants join. This leaves a net shortfall of approximately 1,700 workers each year.
Nick Connor, chief executive of the IMI, said: “The entire motor claims system depends on a workforce that is skilled for current and new technologies.
“However, our analysis shows that employers are not currently recruiting and retaining talent in key areas of the accident and repair ecosystem as individuals either retire or move into other sectors. And this is having a damaging effect on both customer satisfaction for insurers and indemnity costs.”
The IMI said the impact is already being felt, with capacity constraints in bodyshops contributing to longer repair times and increased costs linked to courtesy vehicles, alternative transport and extended claims handling.
The report highlights that skills shortages are most acute in specialist roles, particularly paint technicians and autoglazers. In paint, more than 800 workers leave the sector each year compared with around 400 entrants, creating a shortfall of over 400 annually. Just 12% of paint technicians are under 25.
Specialist disciplines
Body repair roles show a similar trend, with exits exceeding new entrants and an ageing workforce profile.
The IMI said the imbalance reflects a training system weighted towards general accident repair, with specialist disciplines such as paint, body repair and glazing receiving a smaller share of provision.
It also warned that increasing adoption of electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems will add further technical complexity, increasing demand for higher-skilled technicians.
The IMI is calling for coordinated action across industry, education and government to increase the number of new entrants, better align training with demand and improve retention and progression pathways.
Connor added: “Apprenticeship starts across key pathways have not grown, and in some cases have declined leaving the sector without the talent pipeline it urgently needs.
“We have a training system that is not aligned with demand with the result that employers are struggling to find paint technicians and glaziers because the pipeline predominantly produces generalists. That misalignment has to be addressed.
“The IMI will therefore advocate on behalf of the sector to government as well as the wider industry to drive change. The accident and repair workforce underpins the entire motor claims ecosystem in this country. Protecting that workforce is not just a matter for bodyshops and garages it is a matter for insurers, fleet operators and ultimately for every driver who needs their vehicle repaired.”