In the car industry, technology is always evolving, which creates the potential for new jobs. This is the case for the UK, as new devices will create 320,000 more car jobs by 2030. The demand for 3D printing technicians, analytic engineers and cyber security specialists is set to increase, demonstrating that the industry is embracing the future,
According to Steve Nash, chief executive of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) there will be a lot of opportunities. “Employment in the motoring sector has increased by 11.9% in the last year. This highlights how the industry is providing a positive landscape for people searching for a new career.
It’s predicted autonomous and connected car technology will create 25,000 more jobs by 2030. Research carried out by the Society of Motor Traders & Manufacturers points towards an expected growth of around £51 billion for the UK economy.
Nash pointed out that the rise in jobs would need to be balanced by an increase in training programmes. The industry “needs to build new learning environments and training programmes across all levels that can allow technicians to expand their skills, as well as attract new young people into these roles.”
IMI research suggested the car industry has fallen behind others in attracting young people. The research makes a case for automotive companies introducing apprenticeships to attract a younger demographic.
A statement released by the IMI read “With 67% of young people saying they would prefer to sidestep university in favour of earning money and 48% choosing to avoid student debt by opting for other choices such as an apprenticeship, the IMI is calling on businesses to take advantages of this by raising the awareness of the career opportunities available to young people.”
The UK car industry has faced a skills shortage for a long time, with there being a large demand for engineers. However, demand hasn’t been met by supply, so it’s been estimated that Britain will need 1.8 million more engineers by 2025.
The growth is a positive step forward for the car industry and provides a future for a new generation of car enthusiasts.
