The UK’s automotive industry is facing a growing skills crisis, and from vehicle technicians and panel beaters through to repair coordinators and claims handlers, the shortage of experienced professionals is beginning to impact efficiency, repair cycle times and customer satisfaction.
According to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the sector could face a shortfall of more than 160,000 workers by 2031 if current trends continue, and what with the rising demand for electric vehicle (EV) repairs, increasing complexity in vehicle technology and growing consumer expectations, the industry cannot afford to sit back.
Amidst this challenge, accident management companies (AMCs) are stepping in to support both repairers and insurers by alleviating pressure, optimising workflows, and driving long-term resilience.
Below, we take a deeper dive into how AMCs like S&G Response, are helping to tackle the skills shortage head-on, and we begin with…
- Optimising capacity through smart network management
With fewer qualified technicians available, ensuring the most efficient use of the existing repair network is critical.
AMCs can be a significant help here as they bring value through their established, nationwide networks of trusted repairers, enabling effective distribution of work based on real-time capacity. Plus, rather than overloading individual bodyshops, an AMC can also allocate work across multiple centres based on location, capability, and availability – something which not only reduces delays but helps prevent burnout among already-stretched repair teams too.
- Reducing administrative burden on repairers
One of the biggest drains on time and resources in the automotive repair world is administration, particularly as the chasing of approvals, managing customer communication and updating insurers are all tasks which can detract from the core job of repairing vehicles.
Here, AMCs can help remove this burden by managing communication between all parties. For example, whether it’s from insurers and drivers, to bodyshops and suppliers, AMCs can free up valuable technician time and reduce the risk of delays caused by back-and-forths or miscommunication.
- Driving efficiency through technology
Whilst no technology can fully replace skilled labour, it can significantly improve how that labour is used, and modern AMCs are increasingly using integrated systems, automated workflows, and real-time data to boost efficiency across the repair cycle.
For an industry under increasing pressure, saving even a few hours per job can make a meaningful difference, and as such, technology is often used to help stretch existing workforce capacity further without compromising quality or compliance.
- Supporting talent development and retention
While AMCs aren’t solely responsible for training technicians, they play a supporting role in strengthening the talent pipeline, and by providing consistent volumes of work, offering performance feedback, and supporting operational improvements, AMCs help create a stable environment where repairers can focus on training and retaining staff.
Here, one of the most effective ways to combat the automotive skills shortage is to invest in the next generation of talent, and apprenticeships are a vital part of that solution.
But, although the responsibility for delivering apprenticeship programmes often lies with repairers themselves, AMCs can support and encourage this by championing bodyshops that take on apprentices, promoting these opportunities across the supply chain and helping ensure that workloads are manageable enough to allow for on-the-job training.
- Enabling scalable, flexible solutions for insurers
The skills shortage doesn’t just impact repairers, it affects insurers too, as rising repair times, increasing customer frustration and inconsistent quality can all damage brand reputation and profitability.
AMCs offer a scalable solution to this by handling repairs across a broad, vetted network and offering a single point of contact, and by doing so, insurers can continue to deliver a high standard of service even as the industry navigates workforce challenges.
- Promoting collaboration across the supply chain
The truth is that the workforce shortage cannot be solved in silos, and as AMCs sit at the centre of the repair ecosystem, it puts them in a strong position to promote collaboration and information-sharing across insurers, repairers, suppliers, and other partners.
But, by identifying trends, highlighting bottlenecks, and sharing insight on regional capacity or repair type demands, AMCs can help the entire industry make better decisions and plan more strategically.
- Investing in career opportunities
Tackling the skills shortage also requires initiative-taking investment in career pathways, not only for new entrants, but for those already working within the automotive repair ecosystem too.
Here, AMCs are uniquely placed to shine a spotlight on the breadth of opportunities available across the sector, and by promoting these roles as viable, long-term careers, they can help change perceptions and attract a wider talent pool.
In fact, by collaborating with training providers, offering internal mentoring, and highlighting success stories across the network, AMCs help position the industry as an exciting and accessible option for school leavers, career changers and anyone seeking a role with longevity.
It also allows for individuals to clearly see a path forward in terms of their career progression, making it much easier to initially recruit and retain the talent needed to sustain the sector too.
How S&G prioritises bridging the industry’s skills shortage
Although the UK’s automotive industry skills shortage is a complex issue with no quick fix, AMCs such as S&G Response can, and do, play a critical role in managing its impact and building greater resilience across the repair landscape.
To us, it’s important to recognise the long-term importance of apprenticeships for the health of the industry, and we actively support our repair network in building sustainable pipelines by offering consistent work, maintaining fair SLAs, and fostering relationships that allow apprentices to thrive alongside experienced mentors.
We also play a role in raising awareness around the breadth of careers available in automotive claims and repair, not just technical roles such as panel beating or painting, but also customer service, claims handling and digital coordination too – all of which are all crucial parts of the repair journey and deserve equal attention when it comes to attracting new entrants to the industry.
As a result, we find that by valuing apprenticeships and offering a platform to promote successful programmes, we, and our fellow AMCs, are all able to help repairers future-proof their workforce and inspire the next wave of skilled professionals to join the sector.
If you’d like to find out more about us, reach out today to speak to our team.
