The ‘skills gap’ is one of the automotive industry’s hottest issues as new technologies and growing manufacturing combine to drive up the volume and sophistication of modern motor vehicles and components.
It is widely publicised that without more skilled, creative and ambitious young people entering the industry, the global automotive industry will struggle to reach its potential. Car manufacturing and retailing in the UK is growing apace, the country is world-renowned for its engineering expertise and nationwide, global brands use British skills to design, research and develop vehicles and engines. According to speakers at SMMT’s International Automotive Summit, all this is at risk without skilled leadership that engages the next generation of engineers, designers, technicians and retailers.
Adam Pumfrey, COO Courland International, set out the importance of looking outside the automotive industry to find new talent. This cross-pollination of skills and perspectives has the potential to broaden the skill set across the automotive sector in addition to helping to fill gaps created by expansion and natural staff turnover.
Moving on to discussion around the importance of official recognition of professional standards, Steve Nash, Chief Executive of the IMI set out how investment in training should be transferable across the automotive industry. By reducing duplication of training and skills development, the employer and employee both benefit. Costs can be cut, career paths streamlined and training budgets can then be focused on the most beneficial areas.
Rounding off the session, Stuart Moran, Automotive Specialist at Siemens explained how boosting productivity and inspiring the next generation is essential at every level of industry.
For more information about discussions at the SMMT Summit, go to www.smmt.co.uk/summit and check out the #SMMTsummit tag on Twitter.
