Representing and empowering our members
Driving the future of automotive policy
As a member of the IMI, and part of a wider membership community of over 110,000 members, your voice is crucial and can significantly impact and influence Government to ensure they focus their priorities on our sector and the ever growing skills-gap that is facing us.
On behalf of our members, we are committed to three areas of focus:
Attract and recruit
Retain and progress
Develop skills for new technology
Support our call for the Government to do more for our industry
We urgently need your support to challenge the new Government on its current lack of focus on the need for automotive skills to be prioritised within the UK's Industrial Strategy ahead of the Autumn statement.
Read our 'open letter' to Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Business and Trade to highlight to him directly the need for this.
Our commitment to attracting and retaining automotive talent, with skills for the future
The UK automotive sector, a vital part of the economy with 866,000 jobs and contributing £37 billion GVA in 2023, is facing significant challenges in attracting and retaining talent, with around 21,000 vacancies currently unfilled. Technological advancements, such as electric vehicles and Advanced Driver Awareness Systems, are rapidly changing the skills required in the industry.
To address this, it's crucial to enhance the perception of the sector among potential entrants and ensure clear, accessible pathways into automotive careers, especially apprenticeships.
Collaboration with employers is key to identifying and removing barriers, such as navigating funding systems and understanding qualifications. Providing flexible, clear pathways for apprenticeship programs aligned with business needs is essential. Retaining and upskilling the existing workforce to meet the demands of emerging technologies is also a priority.
Ongoing dialogue with businesses and tailored solutions will help more companies invest in their workforce, while influencing government policies to support greater apprenticeship uptake. This will ensure a skilled, diverse, and agile workforce, positioning the UK’s automotive sector as a global leader.
Stay up to date with policy
Don't miss out on the crucial work we're doing for the sector. Register your interest here and we'll notify you of our upcoming events and webinars to do with policy.
And if you haven't already done so, subscribe to our monthly Policy Watch on LinkedIn, written by our Policy Lead, Hayley Pells. Members receive the full version of this newsletter through our Community Forum via IMI Connect.
