Automotive industry urged to tackle the ‘First Job Gap’ facing newly qualified technicians

On World Youth Skills Day last week, Autotech Academy urged the automotive industry to tackle what it believes is a growing "First Job Gap" – where qualified young technicians are struggling to secure the first role they need to begin their careers.

The call comes following publication of the Government-commissioned Milburn Review, which warns that too many young people are becoming trapped between education and employment because of declining entry-level opportunities and a lack of workplace experience – an issue the automotive industry has been quietly grappling with for years. 

For the past five years, Autotech Academy has been working to bridge this gap, helping newly qualified Level 2 and Level 3 automotive students make the transition from education into employment through paid internships.

According to Simon King, CEO of Autotech Group, the findings reflect a challenge the automotive industry has been facing for years: "The Milburn Review highlights an issue we've been witnessing across automotive for a long time," he said. "Every year we meet young people who have invested years into their education, gained the qualifications the industry is asking for and are ready to start their careers, yet they still struggle to secure that all-important first opportunity because employers understandably want experience.

"We spend a lot of time talking about the skills gap, but increasingly what we're seeing is a first job gap. Unless we bridge that gap between education and employment, we'll continue losing talented young people before their careers have even begun." 

The contradiction facing the sector is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. 

Latest Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) figures show more than 25,000 automotive qualifications were awarded in a single quarter during 2025, while around 16,000 technician vacancies remain unfilled across the UK.

At the same time, more than 500 newly qualified Level 2 and Level 3 automotive students currently registered with Autotech Academy are actively looking for their first role, highlighting the growing disconnect between qualification and employment. 

It was this very challenge that led Autotech Group to establish Autotech Academy in 2021, after hearing repeated reports that up to 10,000 newly qualified automotive students were leaving the industry every year because they were unable to secure that crucial first role in a workshop.

Since then, the initiative has helped more than 540 newly qualified technicians transition from education into employment, with 95% progressing into permanent roles following successful completion of their internship. 

For many young people, the issue isn't gaining the qualifications – it's persuading somebody to give them a chance.

Cameron Bell, now a Service Technician with Stoneacre Motor Group, qualified in 2019 but spent three years working as a labourer because he couldn't secure a vehicle technician role without industry experience.

"I kept hearing I needed experience, but no one was willing to give me a chance," he said. "The hardest part was getting your foot in the door."

Similarly, Clio Perry completed a Diploma in Motorsport Maintenance expecting to move straight into the industry, only to discover securing that first opportunity was far more difficult than anticipated. "I thought once I had qualified, I would easily find work, but realised it was easier said than done," she explained. "I tried independents and dealer groups for technician positions and even considered going down the apprentice route just to secure a role but, in doing this, I may as well have written off the last three years of my course."

Following a paid internship through Autotech Academy, Clio secured a role with Yeomans Nissan.

Autotech Academy believes the automotive industry has an opportunity to respond positively to both the Milburn Review and this year's World Youth Skills Day theme, Skills for a Shared Future, by creating clearer pathways into employment for young people who have already demonstrated their commitment to the profession.

"We're not talking about young people who are unsure about their future," Simon comments. "These are individuals who have already chosen automotive as a career, completed their qualifications and want to work in the industry.

"The future workforce already exists. “Encouraging more young people to choose automotive careers remains vital, but so is making sure those who've already invested in those careers don't fall at the final hurdle.

"The future workforce depends on both attracting new talent and giving qualified young people the opportunity to turn their skills into long-term careers."

"World Youth Skills Day reminds us that investing in skills is only half the story. Unless we also invest in helping young people make the transition into employment, we'll continue to lose talented technicians before they've had the chance to contribute to our industry."