Recruit and retain 44 www.aftermarketonline.net FEBRUARY 2025 Changing face of the workshops’ workforce Recruitment specialist Autotech Recruit highlights a strategic shift to embrace temporary workers in the automotive industry The automotive aftermarket is undergoing a significant shift, with temporary workers playing an increasingly vital role in shaping the industry’s future. With 1.42 million temporary workers across the UK, these roles have evolved from short-term fixes to integral workforce solutions that offer agility and adaptability. Temporary workers have become an integral part of the automotive aftermarket — last year, Autotech Recruit contractors filled over 436,000 hours for the industry. For automotive businesses facing skill shortages, fluctuating demand, and economic pressures from measures such as last autumn’s budget and rising National Insurance contributions, reports are suggesting that temporary workers will increasingly become a key strategy to maintain operational efficiency in 2025. For 14 years, Autotech Recruit has been demonstrating the power of leveraging its vast network of temporary vehicle technicians and MOT testers to tackle the automotive aftermarket’s challenges while providing flexibility and opportunities for employers one of the first to place into the automotive aftermarket. This practice, once rare, is now common, and last year, Autotech Recruit filled almost 436,000 hours for aftermarket businesses and carried out almost 104,000 MOTs through its network of contractors. Temporary workers have become an integral part of the industry — they are shaping their own career paths while helping aftermarket businesses maintain operational efficiency. This shift benefits both employers and contractors, with temporary roles offering valuable flexibility and strategic advantages. For many businesses, temporary workers are now a key element of their long-term strategy, helping to manage peaks in demand, tackle skill shortages, and ensure operational continuity. A long way from the past when they were viewed as a solution to short-term problems: covering for staff on leave, filling gaps during busy seasons, or providing emergency support. In the automotive sector, the need for highly skilled vehicle technicians and MOT testers is more critical than ever. As the industry evolves with technological advancements — such as EVs, technology-driven diagnostics, and connected car technologies — the demand for specialised expertise continues to grow. Temporary workers, with their ability to provide niche skills on demand, are an invaluable resource for companies looking to stay competitive. Rather than being seen as a last resort, contractors have become a strategic choice for businesses seeking agility in a dynamic market. For contractors, the benefits of temporary work are clear: flexibility, autonomy, and the opportunity for continuous learning. According to recent findings from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), more than half of temporary workers believe that their current role is the right fit for their stage in life, with many preferring temporary contracts over permanent positions. Flexibility is a key factor in this preference, with 68% of respondents citing improved work-life balance as a primary driver for choosing temporary work. In the context of the automotive industry, where shifts can be long and demanding, the ability to choose temporary assignments offers contractors the freedom to manage their schedules and avoid burnout. The opportunity to work across different businesses provides valuable experience, helping contractors build a diverse skill set that can make them even more attractive to future employers.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=