Careers in the Motor Industry

The UK motor industry is one of today’s most dynamic sectors of employment!

Manufacturers continue to push back the boundaries of technology, resulting in vehicles of increasingly high quality, reliability and performance. Areas such as vehicle manufacture and design, maintenance, body repair and refinishing, air-conditioning, electrical systems and telematics are becoming increasingly complex, demanding excellent technical skills.

A successful future for the UK motor industry will depend on the recruitment and training of high calibre young people to develop skilled technicians in a range of hi-tech disciplines, using state-of-the-art specialist equipment. It is not just a career for the technically minded. The motor industry needs professional staff in sales, management, marketing, human resources, finance and administration, who have the skills to work with people.

For young people with the right qualifications under their belt, the automotive industry offers almost boundless opportunities

If you have the drive, confidence and ability to perform in this challenging and dynamic sector, the rewards can be very attractive.

Right now, employers are struggling to find skilled technicians and other qualified personnel as the motor industry faces a major skills crisis. This is not going to change overnight. In fact, it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better.

AUTO City has been designed to give you an insight into the diverse roles available in the retail motor industry.

Use the map to navigate through a variety of typical automotive businesses. View a floorplan of a business with all its different departments. See how much goes on in these departments. Then view the different job roles within each department within that business.

As you travel through the departments, select the jobs you are interested in. There are technical and non-technical jobs - something for everyone. Read simple descriptions of these jobs but also see and hear what the work might be like from real people already doing these types of jobs. This stimulating blend of words and films creates a unique view into the exciting world of the motor industry.

Apprenticeships

An Apprenticeship programme demonstrates competence to do a job to a national standard, with the required technical and keyskills knowledge.

Real people doing real jobs

To help you learn more about careers in the motor industry, CareersBox has interviewed people about their jobs in the automotive sector. To discover what apprenticeships and training have done for them, click on the links below.


Hear from a technician working for Nationwide Autocentres click here

Listen to how a technician worked his way up to managing a business click here

See what's involved in becoming a technician for Autoglass click here

Become a member of The Institute of the Motor Industry

Of course you need the right qualifications, but you also need to show that you're serious about your career.  Employers and customers want the reassurance of dealing with people who are respected for their professional attitude and know what they're talking about.

Now you have your qualification, you have earned the right to become a member of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).  Membership give you the recognition you need and puts you in a pole position for your future career.  Visit  The Institute of the Motor Industry website to find out more