National Inclusion Week offers the chance to celebrate progress while recognising the urgent need for change. This year’s theme, The Time is Now, is especially relevant to the automotive sector.
Building a diverse and inclusive automotive workforce is vital to its future. Inclusion in automotive is not just a social goal, it is a business imperative. As the industry faces growing opportunities such as electrification, digitalisation and shifting business models, success will depend on fresh skills, varied perspectives and an inclusive approach. An automotive industry that reflects society will be better equipped to innovate, adapt and grow.
So, what does this mean for the sector today?
The latest IMI analysis of ONS data labour force data – which will be published in a new IMI research report soon - shows that 18.6% of the automotive workforce are female, 16.2% identify as having a disability, and 19.9% are non-white British, compared to 52.7%, 24.2% and 22.1% of the national working population respectively.
While those figures have seen positive movement from the previous year, with women’s representation in automotive increasing by 1.1% and non-white British representation rising by 4% over the past year, progress is slow. If we are to secure a competitive, sustainable and inclusive automotive future, the time is now to accelerate change and ensure the sector is a place where everyone can belong and succeed.
Working Towards a More Inclusive Sector
At the IMI, the people working and learning in automotive are at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that an[SS1.1] inclusive sector, depends on workplaces where everyone can belong, develop their skills, and succeed.
So, as we mark National Inclusion Week, here are five ways the IMI is working to promote inclusion in automotive.
1. Our Commitment to Attract and Recruit Talent
Through our manifesto ‘Driving the Future of Automotive Professionals’, we have made a clear commitment to helping to attract the diverse talent the sector needs.
We regularly contribute to government consultations and reviews, including the recent call for evidence on parental leave and pay, to ensure policies widen access to the industry. Alongside this, we work with employers and educators to break down barriers to training and development.
Our goal is a workforce that is representative, skilled and resilient, ready for today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.
2. Celebrating Success
Inclusion is about recognising and championing the people driving change across the automotive sector. Our Annual Dinner and Awards provide a platform to showcase the exceptional talent within our community.
This year, Carolyn Bundey, Senior Manager, Network Performance at Toyota GB, received the Contribution to the Work of the IMI Award for her role as a leading advocate for inclusion through the There’s More to Motor campaign. Previously, Ronnie Wilson, CEO of First Step Trust, was celebrated for creating opportunities for socially excluded individuals experiencing mental health challenges and other disadvantages to access employment.
These examples shine a light on people making a real difference. Nominations for the 2026 awards opens soon, and we encourage the sector to put forward individuals who are helping to create a more inclusive automotive sector today.
3. Our There’s More to Motor Campaign
The ‘There’s More to Motor’ campaign challenges outdated perceptions of automotive careers. Too often, the sector is seen as limited to one type of person or role, when in reality, careers span sustainability, software, engineering, customer service and more.
By showcasing real people in real roles, we aim to inspire as many people as we can, to see their future in automotive. Alongside this, our Real Voices stories highlight lived experiences across the sector, helping us all to better understand challenges and learn from one another.
4. Internal Culture and Support
Inclusion needs to start at home. At the IMI, we aim to foster an open, supportive culture where colleagues feel valued and heard.
Employee Network Groups (ENGs) are central to this. The Menopause Café created a safe space for colleagues to share experiences, while our new Hidden Disabilities group is supporting those with invisible conditions and raising awareness across the organisation.
We also run Lunch & Learn sessions covering topics from mental health to inclusive leadership, encouraging curiosity and shared understanding.
5. Working together
Partnerships are key to embedding inclusion across the sector. We collaborate with the Automotive 30% Club to champion gender balance, supporting its target of at least 30% of leadership roles being filled by women, a threshold that the IMI itself meets.
We also work with organisations such as Toyota and WorldSkills to share expertise and resources. Our Inclusion Hub offers practical tools for employers, employees and educators, updated monthly to support the sector in turning good intentions into lasting change.
Driving the Future of Automotive Professionals
People are at the heart of everything we do. We’re working within our organisation and with the wider sector to make automotive inclusive for all. Now is the time to build a sector that reflects society and unlocks the potential of every professional, so everyone belongs, contributes and thrives.
