{"id":85737,"date":"2026-02-12T04:54:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotive.einnews.com\/article\/891678025\/YmCy_pyN3BfxIYTC"},"modified":"2026-02-12T04:54:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:54:41","slug":"automotive-skills-shortage-puts-pressure-on-uk-repair-sector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/12\/automotive-skills-shortage-puts-pressure-on-uk-repair-sector\/","title":{"rendered":"Automotive Skills Shortage Puts Pressure on UK Repair Sector"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Thatcham Research assesses every car for safety, security and sustainable repair. The findings highlight the growing impact of the automotive skills shortage on the wider industry.<\/p>\n

Rising Complexity and Escalating Repair Costs<\/h2>\n

A survey of repair and salvage professionals, conducted with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), found that 73% view the widening skills gap as a major challenge requiring coordinated industry action. The issue has intensified as modern vehicles, particularly electric vehicles (EVs) and those equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), have become significantly more complex to repair.<\/p>\n

Thatcham Research data shows that the average cost of repairing a vehicle after a collision rose by 50% between 2019 and 2024, driven largely by technological advancements and the specialist expertise required to repair modern vehicles safely.<\/p>\n

Dean Lander, head of repair sector services at Thatcham Research, said: \u201cThe automotive repair sector stands at a crossroads. As vehicles become more sophisticated, the gap between the skills our industry needs and the talent available is widening. This directly impacts insurance premiums, repair times and customer satisfaction across the UK.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an industry, we have a responsibility to take action. Through our Automotive Academy, we’ve trained more than 5,000 technicians over the past five years, equipping them with the cutting-edge skills needed to handle today\u2019s increasingly complex vehicles. We need industry-wide commitment to invest in training, creating and promoting sustainable careers to attract the next generation of talent into this vital sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

Respondents also cited other factors contributing to the skills gap, including skilled workers moving to other industries offering better opportunities (43%) and the effects of an ageing workforce (31%).<\/p>\n

Thatcham Research\u2019s Automotive Academy: Bridging the Gap<\/h2>\n

Thatcham Research\u2019s Automotive Academy is positioned to address the skills shortage through tailored apprenticeship and training programmes that:<\/p>\n