The UK’s automotive skills shortage is at an all-time high with 92% of employers struggling to hire
The UK’s automotive sector is facing the worst skills shortage of any industry in the country, with more than nine out of ten employers struggling to find the specialist talent they need, according to new research.
Data from ManpowerGroup’s 2026 Talent Shore Survey shows that 92 per cent of UK automotive employers are reporting difficulty filling roles, making it the hardest hit sector in recruitment in the country. This figure is nearly 20 percent higher than the national average, where 73 percent of employers say they cannot find qualified candidates.
The findings highlight growing pressure on the automotive industry as the sector undergoes the most significant technological changes in its history. Electrification, advanced vehicle software, and new manufacturing technologies are reshaping the types of skills companies need, but the supply of skilled workers is struggling to keep up with demand.
Engineering skills remain the hardest skill for employers to find, with 46 percent of automotive businesses reporting a shortage in this area. Production and manufacturing roles follow closely behind, with 25 percent of employers saying they are struggling to hire workers with the necessary technical knowledge.
The shortage is particularly acute in regions traditionally associated with automobile production. The West Midlands, widely regarded as the historic center of the UK automotive industry, faces intense competition for engineering and technical talent. Manufacturers, suppliers and emerging electric vehicle companies across the region are increasingly competing for the same limited pool of skilled professionals.
The hiring pressure comes at a time when the sector is also facing declining productivity levels. UK car production is set to hit its lowest level in more than seven decades by 2025, with emissions falling to levels not seen since 1952. The combination of falling production and growing technological complexity is putting more pressure on companies that are already struggling to adapt to structural changes in the global automotive market.
Industry leaders are warning that a shortage of skilled workers could delay the UK’s transition to electrified and software-driven cars if urgent action is not taken to expand the talent pipeline.
Michael Stull, managing director of ManpowerGroup UK, said the findings reveal a growing mismatch between the skills employers need and the skills currently available in the labor market.
“The car businesses tell us that they will not be able to get the skills they need,” he said. “Engineering talent is in short supply. As the sector moves towards electrification and more technology-driven roles, the demand for new skills is growing faster than the talent available.”
He added that solving the shortage will require long-term investment in workforce development rather than short-term recruitment strategies.
“Employers will only overcome these pressures by investing in skills development programs and working closely with schools, colleges and training providers to expand access to future-oriented skills,” Stull said.
The shift to electric vehicles and connected vehicle technology is creating new categories of roles across the industry, including applications engineering, battery technology, data analytics and advanced manufacturing engineering. Most of these skills have historically been more closely associated with the technical sector than with manufacturing conventional vehicles.
As a result, automakers and suppliers are increasingly competing with tech companies for engineers and digital experts alike.
Analysts say the growing skills gap underlines the importance of expanding technical education and training to ensure the UK car industry can remain competitive in the global transition to electric mobility.
Without a significant expansion of the talent pipeline, the sector is vulnerable to prolonged recruitment challenges that could hold back investment, innovation and productivity for years to come.
