Learn how to tackle the automotive sector talent gap at the 2017 AM People Conference

Exploring new ways of attracting the best candidates to the sector and developing and retaining them will be the central themes of this year’s AM People Conference.

The People Conference will build on AM’s Best UK Dealerships To Work For campaign which is identifying the UK’s top automotive retail employers as designated by employees.

AM has joined forces with Best Companies Group, that produces similar studies in other industries, in the first survey of its kind to focus only on automotive retailers.

The survey covers a number of key metrics including leadership, culture, communications, training, pay and benefits.

Institute of the Motor Industry chief executive Steve Nash will once again take to the stage at the event and this year he will be outlining the framework of a new initiative to attract millennials and 'generation Z' to consider a career in automotive retail.

A dealer panel, which will explore the role training and development plays in staff retention and identifying the senior managers of tomorrow, is currently being put together.

Guy Liddall, managing director of recruitment specialists Motor Trade Select, will look at latest trends in finding and filling vacancies and some of the creative ways in which dealers can attract candidates.

AM editor Tim Rose said: “Dealers have always raised recruitment and retention as a major issue and it is becoming increasingly difficult to source the high calibre candidates whilst a talent shortage means experienced professionals are staying put and commanding higher salaries.

“We’ve set ourselves the task of providing a window on the world of recruitment, retention, staff development and employee engagement to provide dealers with solid information and genuinely helpful insights to enable them to develop a people strategy which leads to improved performance and profitability.”

The latest BDO annual motor salary survey found the average base salary in 2016 had risen from £32k in 2015 to £35k last year with a further £14k available in commissions and benefits compared to £11k the previous year.

Meanwhile, managing director and chief executive pay was up 15% in 2016 compared to the previous year with an average salary of £208,000 whilst pay for dealer principals was up 23% to £116k on average.

Held in conjunction with the IMI, the event is stand-alone for the first time following three years of growth when it was held alongside the AM100 Dinner.

Taking place on September 19 at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester, the People Conference is aimed at HR directors and managers as well as dealer and manufacturer trainers and coaches. Senior directors, general managers and dealer principals interested in understanding the key people issues will also gain new ideas and insights.

People Conference tickets

Tickets are available to dealers and manufacturers, with a limited number of supplier tickets on sale.