The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has hit out at the government’s industrial strategy published on Monday saying it made ‘little reference’ to the automotive sector.
It added that the strategy focused on ‘growth industries’ with specific funding to train people for work in defence, engineering, digital and construction roles but automotive was ignored..
Sarah Sillars, Interim CEO at the IMI said: “It is encouraging to see the commitment to skills with a £1.2bn investment in training over the next 10 years.
“However, it appears the Labour Party’s pre-election promise to deliver a dedicated Automotive Strategy has been kicked into the weeds.
“This is despite the automotive sector playing a pivotal role in the UK’s industrial landscape, providing 866,000 jobs inside and outside the factory gates and £37 billion GVA (2023).
“There seems to be a real lack of understanding of the fundamental role the people and businesses that operate outside the factory gates play, particularly in relation to emerging automotive technologies, with the growth of electric motoring being critical to the government’s net zero targets.
“Having engaged with ministers and departments since the Green Paper was published, the IMI was hopeful that the workforce needs of the sector would be addressed in the strategy. Sadly, that has not been the case.”
