Where Have All the Technicians Gone? The 2025 Skills Gap, Shortage Occupations, and Employer Challenges
12.05.2025
8 mins to read
1. Demand in automotive sector workforce – skills gap
In 2025, the UK automotive industry stands at a critical juncture. Despite its substantial contribution of £37 billion to the national economy and employment of over 866,000 individuals across various sectors , the industry grapples with a significant skills shortage. This deficit is particularly acute in technical roles, with approximately 20,000 vacancies reported across more than 200 positions .
As of January 2025, the Motor Trades sector reported a 2.4% vacancy rate, placing it among the top ten sectors with the highest unfilled job proportions in the UK—amounting to around 13,000 vacancies (IMI Labour Market Briefing, Feb 2025). Although this marks a decrease compared to peak vacancy rates of around 5% in mid-2022, the figures still point to persistent and structural gaps, particularly in technical roles.
The repercussions of shortages in the UK are multifaceted. Workshops face prolonged vehicle turnaround times, manufacturers encounter production delays, and customers experience extended waiting periods for services. The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) further exacerbates the situation, demanding new skill sets that many existing technicians lack. As the industry evolves, the pressing question remains: where have all the technicians gone?
2. The roles in demand – shortage occupation list 2025
Among all roles in the industry, Vehicle Technicians stand out as the most in-demand occupation. They dominate job postings across the UK, reflecting the sector’s urgent need for technical expertise in diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing increasingly complex vehicle systems. The high demand is also driven by the growing reliance on electronic systems, sensors, and software, especially with the rise of EVs and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).
In addition to Vehicle Technicians, there is a notable and rising demand for:
Paint Technicians, who command the highest median advertised salary level at £42,200, reflecting a 12% increase over two years. This signals both a skills shortage and fierce employer competition.
Vehicle Body Builders and Repairers (including Panel Beaters), whose median salary increased by 24% over two years to £40,100, again underlining the difficulty in filling these positions.
Tyre, Exhaust and Windscreen Fitters, with a 16% salary increase over two years, now earning a median of £28,400.
SMART Repair Technicians, who are part of the broader category of body and paint professionals, are in growing demand due to the need for efficient, localised cosmetic repairs.
UK shortage occupation list:
| Position | Median Advertised Salary (2025) | 2-Year Salary Growth | Market Insight |
| Paint Technician | £42,200 | +12% | Highest advertised salary across the sector. Indicates strong employer competition and a clear skills shortage. |
| Vehicle Body Builder / Repairer (including Panel Beater) | £40,100 | +24% | Largest salary increase over two years, underlining acute difficulties in recruitment. |
| Tyre, Exhaust & Windscreen Fitter | £28,400 | +16% | Demonstrates consistent demand in essential maintenance roles. Salaries rising steadily. |
| SMART Repair Technician | Data not separately listed | n/a | Increasing demand within the broader body and paint repair category, especially for quick, cost-efficient repairs. |
While job postings across all occupations in the motor trade have declined somewhat since 2023, technical roles remain stable, indicating that recruitment challenges in this area are far from resolved. The IMI also highlights that roles requiring diagnostic, analytical, and problem – solving skills, especially experience with diagnostic tools, are increasingly difficult to fill, reflecting the technological evolution of the sector.
Furthermore, the wage pressure in these roles illustrates the market dynamics at play: fewer job seekers, rising technical complexity, and competition between independent garages and dealership networks. Dealer groups in particular are often able to offer higher salaries and better benefits, making it harder for smaller UK businesses to attract or retain talent.
In summary, the greatest shortages of skilled workforce are observed in:
- Vehicle Technicians,
- Paint Technicians,
- Body Repairers / Panel Beaters,
- SMART Repair Technicians,
- Tyre Fitters.
The high vacancy rates, stable job posting volumes, and increasing salaries all point to a sector under pressure, one that urgently needs investment in training, better job pathways, and retention strategies to sustain its workforce.
3. What’s Causing the Shortage?
The UK automotive sector is currently navigating the most severe skills shortage it has seen in many years. According to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), this crisis stems from a combination of factors: an ageing workforce, reduced levels of immigration, and the fast-moving shift towards electric vehicles and automation.
One of the key challenges is the lack of young talent entering the industry. Despite efforts to modernise its image, the sector still struggles to attract school leavers and college students. Research by the IMI’s Diversity Task Force shows that very few young people actively consider a career in automotive – often due to outdated perceptions of the work, limited awareness of career pathways, and a lack of accessible training opportunities in their local areas.
A technological shift widening the skills gap in 2025
As the industry transforms, so do the demands placed on its workforce. The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) means that traditional mechanical skills are no longer enough. Today’s technicians must understand high-voltage systems, advanced diagnostics, and increasingly complex software-based components.
Automotive companies across the UK and Europe are now racing to retrain their teams. According to Reuters, many businesses are struggling to keep pace with the technical requirements of electrified and automated vehicles. This transition is not only changing the nature of vehicle repair and servicing – it is also redefining the skills that are considered essential. Without adequate upskilling, many current workers risk being left behind, while recruitment of already-trained specialists remains a challenge.
Structural demographic gaps
At the same time, a large portion of the current automotive workforce is approaching retirement. With fewer younger people joining the profession, the talent pipeline is narrowing. This imbalance is further worsened by the sharp drop in EU and international labour supply in recent years – a change that has particularly impacted roles such as paint technicians, repairers, and fitters, which have traditionally relied more heavily on migrant labour.
The IMI also highlights that many of the new roles emerging in the sector – especially those linked to electronics and digital systems – are not yet widely understood by potential entrants. The sector’s visibility, diversity, and accessibility remain pressing challenges.
The Migration of Skilled Technicians
As the UK faces mounting skills shortages, it’s important to consider the broader global context, particularly the migration of skilled technicians to countries with more attractive opportunities. Nations like the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia have become key destinations for technicians seeking better job prospects, higher salaries, and more favorable working conditions. According to the IMI, many European workers have moved to these countries in search of not only better pay but also improved quality of life, work-life balance, and access to modern training programs that are often more accessible than in the UK. The rise of job opportunities in sectors such as electric vehicle technology and automation has further exacerbated this trend, with technicians opting for markets offering specialized training and future-proofed roles. This migration has placed additional strain on the UK’s labour force, which is already grappling with its own demographic challenges. As a result, UK employers are not only competing within the local market but also with countries offering a more attractive combination of financial and professional incentives.
Together, these issues point to the urgent need for systemic change: better promotion of career opportunities, broader access to training, and long-term strategies to retain skilled professionals in an industry that is undergoing rapid transformation.
4. Summary
In 2025, the UK automotive sector is at a turning point. Despite its economic strength, it struggles with a persistent shortage of highly skilled workers – especially in technical roles such as vehicle technicians, paint sprayers, and body repairers. The problem stems from a mix of long-term trends: an ageing workforce nearing retirement, reduced immigration, and too few young people entering the trade. At the same time, the rise of electric vehicles and digital systems is increasing the complexity of repairs and diagnostics, requiring new technical skills that many current employees lack.
Although overall vacancy rates have slightly declined since their pandemic-era peak, the demand for core technical roles remains high. Rising wages in these roles point to strong competition for limited talent, with smaller businesses often unable to keep up. Meanwhile, a lack of awareness and training opportunities continues to discourage new entrants—only a small percentage of young people even consider a career in the sector.
Unless there is a coordinated effort to improve training pathways, raise the profile of automotive careers, and adapt to emerging technologies, the industry risks long-term labour shortages that could undermine its growth and resilience.
Sources:
https://www.smmt.co.uk/automotive-intelligence/powering-the-economy/
https://tide.theimi.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-08/Baseline%20report%202023v4.pdf
