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Over the last decade, technology has made a considerable impact on the manufacturing of vehicles, disrupting the aftermarket in its wake. However, the current situation, and the now tried and tested reliance everyone now has on the internet, should accelerate the adoption of digital tools amongst garage and dealership bosses.
The new normal
The automotive aftermarket has aligned itself to the new social distancing measures as businesses within the industry reopen following the lockdown. While many garages remained operational for key workers, there is an expected spike in MOTs coming through following the extension, and ensuring the aftermarket can cope, while meeting stringent guidelines, is paramount.
Many automotive organisations are introducing multiple operating shifts to adhere to social distancing measures while meeting the anticipated rise in demand for servicing so operating with maximum staff during this time will be vital. However, industry bosses need to have contingency plans in place for any labour gaps as a result of staff sickness and periods of self-isolation to ensure businesses run efficiently.
Temporary vehicle technicians and MOT testers offer a quick and effective resolution, mitigating labour shortfalls over short, and long-term periods. Reliance on these freelancers was increasing within the automotive industry prior to the lockdown, as garage bosses understood the business peaks and were able to build hiring temporary technicians into their annual strategies. These tactics will now, however, need to be adapted to enable the industry to manage any unforeseen levels of supply and demand.
Technology allows resolving labour shortfalls at the touch of a button
One tool which should now be fully exploited and used to its full potential is the internet. Over the last decade, technology has made a considerable impact on the manufacturing of vehicles, disrupting the aftermarket in its wake. However, the current situation and the now tried and tested reliance everyone has on the internet, should accelerate the adoption of digital tools amongst garage and dealership bosses.
From the adoption of good garage software to manage supplies, customer demand and payments, to viewing and resolving labour shortfalls across entire garage and dealership networks at the touch of a button, technology underpins Autotech Recruit’s unique ability to create employment solutions for the industry and will continue to drive the company’s overriding ambition to close the skills gap.
Autotech Recruit is the only recruitment supplier offering customised, online portals for vehicle manufacturers to book temporary vehicle technicians and we have recently launched our own training platform on Our Virtual Academy. Effectively adopting technology enabled Autotech Recruit, during 2019, to fill almost 20,000 days with temporary technicians for leading manufacturers, and deliver almost 3000 hours of training.
Now is the time to take full advantage of the tools available
“Technology will continue to shape the automotive industry but for some time the aftermarket has trailed behind,” Simon King, MD of Autotech Recruit. “In these unprecedented times now is the time to take full advantage of the tools available to not only ensure garages run at optimum capacity, but to maintain social distancing with customers.” Covid 19 could reshape how the automotive aftermarket recruits vehicle technicians, but, the need to up-skill should not be forgotten. With training courses now deliverable online, the aftermarket should grasp these opportunities.
During the pandemic, Autotech Training launched its own platform on Our Virtual Academy giving contractors access to FREE online training to upskill themselves, while the company works towards an objective to make its network of contractors electric and hybrid aware by 2021.