Easy2Recruit, a recruitment agency specialising in the automotive sector, welcomes the launch of the Skills England initiative but cautions garages against expecting immediate solutions to technician shortages.
“With the automotive sector facing an every-growing staff shortages alongside many other industries, the Government’s speed in launching Skills England so soon should be lauded,” said Ambi Singh, “but this is no quick fix; we cannot expect this new organisation to be able to immediately correct decades of drift on the skills front.”
Skills England, announced by the government, aims to streamline skills training and apprenticeship funding. It will replace the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).
The automotive sector faces a significant staff shortage, with estimates suggesting a shortfall of 160,000 workers by 2030. The current vacancy rate in the industry is also at a 21-year high.
Easy2Recruit emphasises that filling these gaps will require a multi-pronged approach.
“It will take a long time to nurture a new generation of technicians,” said Ambi, “and until the apprenticeship system is functioning properly again, garages will need to source some staff from overseas.”
Easy2Recruit helps businesses access technicians from countries like the United Arab Emirates and India, handling the entire relocation process.
“We deal with the relocation from overseas all the way to the garage in the UK,” said Ambi. “The owner of the garage just needs to undertake a video interview with the candidate. We handle all the pastoral care for the overseas worker, including visa application, flight booking and accommodation. Ultimately, we prepare the route for the first day at work.”
For more information on Easy2Recruit’s services, garages can visit their website by clicking here.