Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) policy manager Hayley Pells has called for Government to add the automotive sector on the UK’s Shortage Occupation List in an open letter to Secretary of State for Transport.

Pells that decreased immigration and ongoing decreases in apprenticeship intakes will be among contributing factors in a scenario that will leave the sector 160,000 unfilled vacancies by 2031 in her representation to Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

The IMI’s policy manager, appointed last month, highlighted the automotive sector’s £37 billion contribution to the UK economy and its provision of jobs for nearly 850,000 people.

But she added that support was required in order to contribute most effectively to Government’s decarbonisation plans.

“The Institute of the Motor Industry hopes that the new Secretary of State for Transport, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, will examine closely, and urgently, where her department can provide the crucial support necessary to ensure the sector remains a valuable contributor to the UK economy,” Pells said in her letter.

“First and foremost is the question of skills. The latest Automotive Sector Employment report from the IMI found that the pandemic, decreased immigration and fewer people of working age, are all fuelling an escalating skills crisis. We believe 160,000 vacancies in the sector will need filling by 2031. Bringing young people into the workforce is critical; so too is increasing its diversity.

“Government support for access to apprenticeships is vital, particularly as our most recent data shows that automotive apprenticeship starts in the first 10 months of the academic year 2021/22 are 13% lower than 2019/2020.

“And, while not strictly within the Department for Transport remit, it would also be significant for the BEIS review for the Shortage Occupation List to include the automotive sector.

“The second big challenge is decarbonisation. Without the skilled workforce to repair and service electric, hydrogen and other zero emissions technologies, the government’s ambitions could seriously stall.

“Our latest data suggests 15% of the automotive workforce is now IMI EV TechSafe qualified - enabling them to work safely on electric vehicles.

“But, with a forecast of 90,000 for the right number of TechSafe-qualified technicians to work with electric vehicles by 2030, we believe there will be a shortfall between electric vehicles on UK roads and the sufficient number of approved technicians to service, repair and MOT them by 2027.

Pells called for investment in training to help the sector get ahead of the skills curve as well as the development of appropriate standards and qualifications for those working on connected and autonomous vehicles.”

The IMI Is the latest in s series of industry bodies to make demands for help of the incoming Government since Prime Minister Liz Truss’s appointment last month.

Earlier the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) and Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) had both appealed for measures to help retailers and car manufacturers tackle to soaring cost of energy.

Both welcomed the energy cap introduced for a period of six months, but both subsequently expressed the need for further, longer-term action.