Easy2Recruit, welcomes the government’s £2 billion investment in the industry announced in the recent budget. However, they stress that addressing the skills gap requires a broader focus on training and attracting young people to the field.
While the electrification funding will be crucial for modernising the industry, Easy2Recruit CEO Ambi Singh believes “continuing investment in training” is essential for long-term sustainability. He sees the additional £300 million for further education as a positive step, but highlights the need for long-term strategies to address the workforce shortage.
The budget also included a minimum wage increase for over-21s and a rise in the Employment Allowance for small businesses. While these measures can ease pressure on garages, Singh emphasises the need to “grow the next generation of techs” at a faster pace.
Easy2Recruit helps garages overcome skill shortages by facilitating recruitment of technicians from overseas, particularly the United Arab Emirates and India. They also offer programs like Student2Skill, which connects international students with garages for part-time work, and an international graduate placement scheme.
Singh concludes “Investment is key if the independent garage sector is going to catch up with the skills gap and close it,” adding “and the industry needs to work with government to make this happen.”
For more information on Easy2Recruit’s staffing solutions, visit their website by clicking here.