Motor trade has 16,000 vacancies as garages struggle to recruit EV-trained staff
The motor trade has 16,000 unfilled roles, with garages struggling to recruit mechanics and EV-trained staff as the industry shifts to electric.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Motor trade faces 16,000 vacancies as EV skills gap strains garages
The motor trade has about 16,000 unfilled roles, according to figures cited from the Institute of the Motor Industry for the period between May and July. Around half of the new job postings in the sector are for mechanics, as garages struggle to recruit the staff they need while the industry shifts towards electric vehicles.
In West Yorkshire, Hoyles of Todmorden has been servicing cars since the late 1960s. Mechanic Gav is among those adapting to the change. A failed shock absorber he was working on is a common fault on any car, but it is more prevalent on EVs because of the weight of the battery. Oil and grime build-up can cause bouncing and poor handling for the owner. Gav is increasing his training and upskilling to future-proof his job.
For boss Louisa, the move to electric is a challenge and an opportunity. She said more people are excited about the computerisation of cars, with younger people having grown up with Game Boys, Xboxes and PlayStations, and that experience now being put to use in vehicles. The mechanical side remains, she added, so there is still a hands-on element to the work.
The vacancy rate persists even though many young people are looking for employment. One problem is that small and medium-sized businesses often lack the resources or capacity to take on a young person. Current incentives are years old and have not kept up with inflation and the cost of living. The minimum wage and national insurance contributions have risen, but the incentives have not changed. Employers argue it must be made easier for small companies to take on an apprentice, and that this is the big issue.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said government officials know how vital the mechanics sector is. They said the number of apprentices has gone up, but there is more to do and they are working with the industry to address workforce needs.
Industry figures suggest the pressure may not ease quickly. Waiting times for car servicing are already a concern, and only a quarter of mechanics are currently EV trained. That work may need to pick up speed if garages are to fill vacancies and keep up with the electric transition.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Around half of new job postings in the motor trade were for mechanics. | |
| Only about a quarter of mechanics were trained to work on electric vehicles. | |
| The motor trade had 16,000 unfilled roles between May and July, according to the Institute of the Motor Industry. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The bulletin focused on the recruitment crisis through a local garage in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, using the example of a mechanic upskilling for EVs. It balanced employer concerns about apprenticeship incentives with official figures from the Institute of the Motor Industry and a government response. The tone was explanatory and practical, ending with a warning that only a quarter of mechanics are EV trained as servicing waits grow.
- “There are currently 16,000 vacancies across the most trade industry, and nearly half of those job adverts posted in July are for car mechanics.”
- “You need to make it easier for small companies like this to take an apprentice on. That's the big issue.”
- “Here we are seeing, Peter, a failed shock absorber. Quite a common fault on any car, but it is more prevalent on EVs.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.