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Last week, Autotech Group brought the automotive aftermarket together at our inaugural Talent Recharge: ‘How to gain, train and retain talent’ event to kick start the industry’s talent shortage conversation.
The event saw over 200 senior leaders from OEMs, dealer groups, independents, the tyre, paint and body sectors unite, alongside industry organisations and representatives from the education sector.
During the event, we ran an interactive poll which revealed that 100% felt that their business’ current talent strategy was not fit for purpose.
Held within the world class surroundings of Red Bull MK-7 in Milton Keynes, Talent Recharge included a line-up of speakers, along with interactive roundtable and panel discussions to help delegates devise and deploy successful long term talent strategies.
Cited as a ‘restart moment’ and the chance to tear off the plaster which has been precariously holding the industry together for over a decade. Results of our interactive poll also revealed that over 75% felt that recruitment had become even more difficult following the pandemic, and 45% admitted that the skills shortage had cost their business over £100k in the last 12 months.
Speakers included former McLaren Formula 1 team mechanic and seasoned automotive broadcaster, Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestley, business & employment consultant, Tom Hadley, SBD Automotive’s Lee Colman and recruitment advisor and entrepreneur, James Osborne, who also presided over the day’s events.
We were also delighted to be joined by the IMI’s Jim Saker and Joanna Hollingdale who presented the findings from the IMI’s recent Diversity Task Force Report and opened up the floor with questions from the audience on how to implement diversity and inclusivity into their recruitment strategies.
While the morning focused on the trade, the afternoon session brought together senior leaders from the automotive industry with the education sector, specifically people who are responsible for their college’s automotive offering.
During the afternoon, VW Commercial Vehicles’ Paul Anderson joined Ford UK’s Sarah Brettle, Fix Network World’s David Lingham, Kevan Wooden from Euro Car Parts, and Catherine Treanor CAE MIMI from Electude to run a panel debate. This provoked discussions and provided some inspiring ideas on how the automotive industry and FE colleges could work together to “rewrite the playbook” and step up their efforts in securing future talent for the industry.
Kevan Wooden, Chief Commercial Officer at Euro Car Parts commented: “A truly great event. Thanks to Gavin and the Autotech team and all the contributors, on a great event to amplify the ways in which the industry and the education sector can collaborate to bring great talent into our sector and build amazing careers.”
Rebecca Garratty, Recruitment Advisor for Marshall Motor Group, commented: “It was clear from the day’s discussions that collaboration is key, and I look forward to working closely with Autotech Group to rewrite the narrative and encourage future generations of the automotive industry.”
Andy Wells, Head of Faculty Engineering, Aerospace and Automotive at Exeter College commented, “It was great to hear the thoughts and commitment to opening the doors to FE and automotive employer collaboration to link up and solve the challenges.”
Speaker and global business & employment practices consultant, Tom Hadley, commented: “It was a truly awesome event and great to see Autotech Group taking a lead, not just through thought leadership in the automotive sector but through ‘action-leadership.”
“After just 12 weeks of preparation, Talent Recharge went off with a bang and I would like to personally thank all the people and organisations who made our vision a reality,” Autotech Group CEO, Gavin White comments: “Most of all though I would like to thank our amazing team at Autotech Group for all their hard work and dedication to our industry, customers and this landmark project.”