Automotive skills shortage reaches critical levels as 92% of UK employers struggle to recruit

"92 per cent of UK automotive employers report difficulty filling roles, making it the hardest-hit sector for recruitment in the country. The figure sits almost 20 percentage points above the national average, where 73 per cent of employers say they are unable to find suitable candidates."

"The findings highlight growing strain within the automotive industry as the sector undergoes one of the most significant technological transformations in its history. Electrification, advanced vehicle software, and new manufacturing technologies are reshaping the types of skills companies require, but the supply of qualified workers is struggling to keep pace with demand."

"Engineering skills remain the most difficult capability for employers to source, with 46 per cent of automotive businesses reporting a shortage in this area. Manufacturing and production roles follow closely behind, with 25 per cent of employers saying they are struggling to recruit workers with the required technical experience."

"The West Midlands, widely regarded as the historic centre of the UK automotive industry, is experiencing especially intense competition for engineering and technical talent. Manufacturers, suppliers and emerging electric vehicle companies across the region are increasingly competing for the same limited pool of skilled specialists."

The UK automotive sector faces unprecedented recruitment challenges, with 92% of employers unable to fill specialist roles—nearly 20 percentage points above the national average. Engineering skills are the most difficult to source at 46%, followed by manufacturing and production roles at 25%. This severe shortage stems from rapid technological transformation including electrification, advanced software, and new manufacturing technologies that have reshaped required skillsets faster than the workforce can adapt. The West Midlands, the historic center of UK automotive manufacturing, experiences particularly intense competition for technical talent among manufacturers, suppliers, and emerging electric vehicle companies. These recruitment pressures coincide with declining production levels, with UK vehicle manufacturing reaching its lowest point in over seven decades in 2025.

Read at Business Matters