Recruitment in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry

The automotive industry has long been an essential part of the global economy, driving innovation, technological advancement, and economic growth. As this industry continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges, recruitment plays a pivotal role in shaping the future for these companies.

The value of the automotive aftermarket is forecast to reach £7.3bn in 2027. It is a vast and diverse industry, comprising of companies that manufacture vehicles, design components, provide services, and develop cutting-edge technologies. Within this expansive landscape, various segments such as traditional automakers, electric vehicle start-ups, suppliers, and mobility service providers all require specialised talent to thrive.

Mintel’s car aftermarket report indicates that the recent expansion in the number of older vehicles on the road will provide additional opportunities, as will the growing number of electric vehicles entering the market. Although it has not been immune to the inflationary pressures impacting the wider UK economy such as rising prices for raw materials, production, labour and transporting parts there are some positive key trends coming through. These include the increased use of online channels for purchasing replacement car parts and increased maintenance and servicing demands.

With the change in the automotive market, comes different challenges within the recruitment for this industry such as:

• Technological Advancements: The industry is at the forefront of technological innovations, such as electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, and connected cars. Finding individuals with expertise in these fields can be a significant challenge, as the skill sets required are often cutting-edge and in high demand.
• Employee Development: Once top talent is hired, investing in their development is critical. Provide ongoing training and education to keep employees up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies.
• Sustainability and Environmental Concerns: The growing focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impact means recruiting professionals with expertise in green technologies and eco-friendly manufacturing processes is essential.
• Global Competition: Automotive companies must compete on a global scale for top talent. This intensifies the need for effective recruitment strategies to attract the best candidates, regardless of their geographic location.
• Employee Development: Once top talent is hired, investing in their development is critical. Provide ongoing training and education to keep employees up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies.

As the sector continues to evolve and adapt to technological, environmental, and global challenges, attracting and retaining top talent becomes increasingly crucial. Keeping top talent in the automotive industry can be as challenging as recruiting it. To retain the best employees, companies need to consider competitive compensation to stay within industry salary trends, providing opportunities for career growth and advancement, as ambitious individuals are more likely to stay with a company that supports their professional development, work life balance and recognising and rewarding outstanding performance to show employees that their contributions are valued.

If you are currently recruiting, have a difficult role to fill or would like an informal chat, contact Jack Cooke who would be delighted to help. Jack Cooke is a Recruitment Consultant working as part of the engineering team at Wallace Hind, he specialises in technical recruitment, predominantly around sales and engineers.

Jack Cooke, JC@wallacehind.com, 01604 683 304.