Luke Garratt talks vacancies

We caught up with Luke Garratt, UK and Nordic's Technical Services Manager at Delphi to discuss ‘vacancies’, named in the Insights Report on ‘Top 10 Drivers for Skills Change in UK Automotive over the next two years’.

The report cited the highest vacancy rate in 21 years in January 2023, have you experienced this?  

Vacancies are everywhere. The whole industry is suffering and there is just not the experience there to fill them.

Luke Garratt

It's no surprise that there’s a correlation between job vacancies and rising demand for training. Workshops are really struggling to retain experienced staff so people need to be trained.

The report mentions there being 45% more job postings for ‘technician’ roles than in Mar ’21. Does this impact independent garages?    

If you have any sort of engineering skill set, there will be a wide range of jobs that you can go into for very good money. The main dealers have been increasing salaries and it becomes hard for independent garages to compete. Many are really struggling to get anybody qualified and experienced.

Recruitment ‘knock-on’ effects include ‘advertised salaries’ going up 19% in 3 years. The reports also warns of a ‘short term mindset’ and resource pressures negatively affecting training investment. Is this impacting you?  

We're seeing workshops that are raising their labour rates and investing in training managing to succeed. They break the cycle of not being able to train because they don't have the money.  

Trends have shifted this year. We had a slight rise in EV training. However, we've seen a huge rise in grassroots training - wheels and tyres, braking, steering and suspension, four-wheel alignment. The fundamental courses that give people the real ‘hands on’ experience  

We are seeing a rise in the more technical subjects like oscilloscopes and diagnostics too. Vehicles are getting more complex than we ever imagined.

The report paints a stark picture of a ‘dwindling influx of fresh talent, especially amongst the younger generation’, with some problems of perception too. Do you think the sector has a perceptions problem?  

Perceptions are getting better. The industry has been badly misrepresented because of a minority of people’s negative experiences with workshops. People can do really do well for themselves and it's very rewarding. Garages help people, they then learn to trust you and become friends as well as part of your business.

Do you have any advice for those looking to start their careers in the industry?  

The opportunities are endless if you show some grit and determination and apply yourself. Starting as an apprentice is a really good way to go. It gives you the right balance of working on the spanners and classroom theory work that you will need to further your career.

Download the full report and read the Top Ten Drivers now.