Let’s get a new generation excited about automotive

Here’s a scary fact. Did you know 728,000 young people in the UK fall into the ‘not in education, employment or training' (NEET) group? That’s a huge pool of talent we could be tapping into.

We all need to do something about this. It’s vital that people with fresh ideas and approaches get excited about an industry that’s on the cusp of a revolution.

Here are five things we could do to bring these young people into the industry, change their lives and supercharge your business:

1. Kickstart an intern for six month

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit. The scheme is a £2bn fund to create hundreds of thousands of high-quality job placements for young people. Employers can spread the job start dates up until 31 December 2021. You’ll get funding until 30 June 2022 if a young person starts their job on 31 December 2021.

2. Plan for Job apprenticeship boost

The government wants to support companies taking on apprenticeships and will pay up to £3,000 to help. Announced in the last budget, your business can apply for the incentive for each apprentice you take on as a new employee between 1 April and 30 September. 

3. Use levy funding for an apprentice

The apprenticeship levy is a funding mechanism that the government uses to increase the quality, quantity and productivity of apprenticeships in England. It’s a levy that all UK-based employers with an annual payroll in excess of £3m must pay, regardless of whether they employ apprentices or not, but can be accessed by all. And as we get back to normality and businesses become busier, it’s time to use it, not lose it.

4. Upskilling to a Level 3 qualification – for free

If you’re an adult aged 19 and over and are looking to achieve your first full Level 3 qualification the government could help you upskill by offering access to fully funded course. Best of all, you can work with local colleges so courses are flexible and fit around current commitments – good for employees and employers.

5. Get the nation retrained

The government is funding the re-training of individuals who change sectors or occupations, and in the current climate that could be a lot of people. As part of the £2.5bn National Skills Fund, the scheme could help bring new people with fresh approaches and the latest skills into the industry.

The IMI is here to help too. Advertise your vacancies for free on IMI Auto Jobs by simply emailing the team. And if you have learners struggling with core skills, such as English and Maths, get in touch, the IMI can help tutors succeed with lesson plans and resources to upskill young people who didn’t obtain a grade at GCSE, giving them the confidence to succeed no matter what they want to do.
And if you need more advice on what’s available get in touch at careers@theimi.org.uk, tweet us @IMICareers or message us on Instagram @imiautocity. We’re also on the phone: 01992 511521.

With our best wishes

Jo and The Careers Team