Explaining the underlying training trends in the automotive sector, and how they are impacting on businesses, IMI Research Manager Emma Carrigy said: “The latest IMI analysis of qualifications and apprenticeships suggests that the automotive sector is lagging behind the UK market as a whole.” She continued: “While vocational qualifications across all industries rose by 15% year on year for Q2 2023, automotive certificates fell by 14% for the same period. With evolving technologies such as ADAS and electric requiring concerted upskilling, this downward trend is a concern for road safety generally as well as a potential threat to consumer confidence in our sector. Just over 11,800 automotive certificates were awarded in Q2 2023 with Electric/Hybrid accounting for 37%. The second mostpopular subject was Light Vehicle on 13% followed by Refrigerant handling at 11% and General Maintenance on 10%. However, the low level of ADAS qualifications is a particular concern. “By the end of 2023, at least one in ten cars on UK roads will feature Level 2 autonomy, growing to almost half of the car parc by 2030. Yet our latest ADAS TechSafe Technician Forecast shows that there are currently only around 3,500 ADAS-qualified technicians in the UK, leaving a void right now of some 18,000 technicians to meet the current requirement.” Meanwhile, employers are also missing out on Apprenticeship Levy funding. Via the Apprenticeship Levy, 46 AFTERMARKET DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024 TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS www.aftermarketonline.net businesses with a yearly wage bill of under £3million pay 5% of the cost of apprenticeship training, with Government paying the rest. Emma explained: “When it comes to apprenticeships, automotive is one of just 14 sectors that have seen the number of apprenticeship starts increase year-on-year with an encouraging increase in the use of ASA levy funds. However, automotive use of Levy funds is still below the national average, which means many businesses and apprentices are missing out.” Bob Wiffen, Workshop Solutions Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, observed: “Traditionally, apprenticeship programmes have helped ensure a consistent talent pipeline for garage owners to tap into. Indeed, the aftermarket is one area of the economy where the practice has been embedded into everyday business for decades. However, with the competition for labour so high, garages need to be able to demonstrate to prospective employees that they are choosing a career in which they will be looked after and developed. Retention is just as important as recruitment – and training is a key driver in delivering this. “So much has changed over the last few years – from advances in technologies such as ADAS, to the swift transition towards hybrid and electric vehicles – that it is becoming increasingly important for technicians to stay up to date with the latest knowledge so that they're ready to repair and service modern motors.” Bob added: “Through the LKQ Academy, we work hard to ensure we’re tackling the next big challenges for the industry, so that we can help workshops stay relevant today GET WITH THE PROGRAMME Find out how the industry can support you, your technicians and your business through training
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