By Kate Ruberry-Shoemack, Director of People & Communications at Rygor Group
The automotive sector continues to rapidly develop and change, and the key to commercial success is having the right team in place to help implement and drive forward positive and dynamic transformation. Attracting and retaining top talent has become as critical as product innovation, particularly in an industry which depends on skill, dedication, and forward-thinking team members to thrive. Retention is key to a successful business and for employee wellbeing and morale. It’s all about having the right team members in the right roles, at the right time. Simple, right?
Not always! Skills shortages concern 49% of automotive businesses (SMMT, 2022) so long-term workforce planning is key. With an automotive sector skills-gap, attracting new generations is paramount (Mann, 2024) which is why it’s positive to see that employees starting apprenticeships in the sector grew by 67% in 2022 (SMMT, 2022).
Investing in early-stage training prompts retention, because employees today are looking for much more than a salary. They want workplaces that offer purpose, growth opportunities, flexibility, and recognition. The automotive sector has the chance to provide all of this, by showing how rewarding a career in the industry can be and by investing in the long-term success of its teams.