Automotive Education Report Edition 10

Welcome to the release of the 10th edition of the Automotive Education Report, an exploration of the latest trends and developments in automotive training and qualifications. This edition uncovers crucial insights that reflect the shifting dynamics of the industry, making it a must-read for professionals and stakeholders looking to stay ahead in the automotive field.

• The overall automotive certifications saw a 5% decrease in Q4 2023, with Wales showing the most significant drop, signalling a challenging period for the sector.
• Despite these challenges, Level 3 qualifications continue to dominate, accounting for 51% of all certificates, and there’s a growing emphasis on foundational education, with entry-level qualifications steadily increasing.
• A standout statistic from this period is the prominence of the IMI Level 3 Award in Electric/Hybrid Vehicle System Repair and Replacement, which alone represented 17% of the certifications. This underscores the industry’s rapid pivot towards electric and hybrid technologies, which now constitute 45% of all automotive qualifications.

The report also delves into the TechSafe program, revealing a 14% decline in EV TechSafe certifications from the previous year, though numbers remain significantly higher than in 2021. Despite this, the burgeoning demand for EV technicians is outpacing supply, projecting a potential skills gap by 2035.
In the realm of apprenticeships, there has been a slight decline in starts, yet the numbers are still more robust compared to two years ago. This indicates a sustained interest in specialised technical training, essential for adapting to future automotive innovations.

We invite you to download the full Automotive Education Report to gain a deeper understanding of these trends and prepare for the evolving demands of the automotive industry.