UK-USA Trade Agreement: IMI response

UK-USA deal could now give automotive sector confidence to invest in future skills

UK-USA Trade Agreement:  IMI response

“As the US remains one of the most important automotive export markets, this deal delivers much-needed certainty for UK businesses and strengthens global competitiveness”, said Hayley Pells, Policy and Government Affairs Lead at the IMI. 

“However, market access only addresses one aspect of the sector’s current challenges. The enormous skills gap, currently at 17,000 vacancies, threatens the UK’s ability to keep pace with change and remain competitive. IMI research shows that due to an ageing workforce, 144,000 roles (19% of the workforce) may need replacing by 2032 due to retirement. Those who are going to feed those vacancies will need to meet the demands of electrification, autonomous vehicles, and evolving customer expectations.

“This was recognised in Parliament yesterday (7th May 2025), where the IMI’s data was cited multiple times during the Automotive Manufacturing: Employment debate. MPs from across the House echoed the IMI’s call for targeted investment in apprenticeships, technical training, and adult reskilling, all of which are critical to ensure the sector is future-ready.

“The IMI also hopes that the government’s long-awaited Industrial Strategy will place the automotive sector at the heart of the UK’s growth agenda. Alongside R&D, trade, and energy policy, workforce development must be a central pillar.”

As the professional body for the automotive sector, the IMI will continue to provide government with trusted, evidence-based insight that can inform and support good decision-making, grounded in the real experiences of employers across the sector. The UK automotive industry has the talent, ambition, and global reach. With the right support to develop the skills pipeline, the UK-USA Trade Agreement can unlock long-term prosperity for the sector and the communities it supports.

To learn more about the IMI’s priorities for the automotive sector, read its 2025 Manifesto: ‘Driving the Future of Automotive Professionals’.