21,000 vacancies offer enormous career opportunities in automotive across more than 200 varied job roles

As 16-18 year olds begin the countdown to results day the IMI and Toyota GB join forces to showcase the wealth of automotive career opportunities

A host of Toyota and Lexus colleagues are flying the flag for the automotive sector in a bid to dispel the myths about working in the industry. As the sector continues to battle its biggest skills gap in history, the IMI and Toyota GB have joined forces to share the real voices of employees to inspire young adults at a career crossroads, and adults looking for a career change into the industry. The stories shared on the ‘There's More to Motor’ YouTube channel showcase the diverse roles available in the automotive industry, from Dhruv Patel, a Data Science apprentice, to Grace Walker, an apprentice technician. With 21,000 job vacancies currently open in the sector, the opportunities are significant.

“The waiting game is now on for many of the young people who have just completed their GCSEs or A-levels, and whilst some will already have a very clear idea of where they see their career, for others they know they have great skills but are not sure where to apply them”, explained Jo Hollingdale, Head of Careers at the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the professional body for those working in automotive. “The problem right now is that so many people still equate working in automotive with dirty garages and grease under the fingernails. However, it’s just simply not like that anymore.

“The advances in automotive technology mean almost every workshop is pristine – just take a look at the Toyota and Lexus videos. And the skills required are so broad – everything from social media executives and customer service personnel to data scientists and diagnostics technicians using virtual reality. And the pace of change in automotive means the career pathway is exceptionally positive.”

The IMI is running a nationwide digital campaign ‘There’s More to Motor’ to highlight the vast array of exciting job opportunities available to job seekers including school leavers, graduates and those looking for a career change. In a series of short videos, Toyota and Lexus head office and retailer colleagues share their own career stories, with featured roles including a degree apprenticeship, Academy Project Co-ordinator, Training Manager, Customer Experience Manager, Host, Data Science Apprenticeship and Social Media Assistant to name just a few.

“The automotive sector has transformed almost beyond recognition in recent years, and with advances in vehicle technology and connectivity there is a wider range of roles available than ever before,” commented Paula Cooper, Director Consumer One & Academy at Toyota GB. “This is an exciting time to join automotive, a future-facing, fast-paced and highly innovative sector, with around 21,000 vacancies ready and waiting for the right applicants. Toyota GB has captured real voices from both head office and our retail network to showcase the many exciting and rewarding opportunities to grow and develop a career in automotive.

“Toyota and Lexus are employers of choice, and our retail network provides a wide range of career opportunities throughout the UK. We want to attract talent who would not have otherwise considered working for us, demystifying what it is like to work here. We offer world-class learning and development to support candidates joining our business. We are confident the IMI campaign will inspire people to join our brands - there is a role for the broadest range of skills and profiles, and at all stages of development.”  

Find out more and search the wide range of job opportunities currently available across the automotive industry at MoreToMotor.org.uk