how the aftermarket can open doors to the next generation of talent

With UK unemployment rising, the automotive aftermarket has a real opportunity to be part of the solution, by making it easier for jobseekers, school leavers and career changers to see the sector for what it is - a skilled, future-facing industry with long-term careers.

In August to October 2025, there were 1.83 million unemployed people in the UK, with the unemployment rate increasing to 5.1 percent. Youth unemployment is also climbing - 735,000 young people aged 16–24 were unemployed in the same period, with an unemployment rate of 16 percent. 

Yet at the same time, garages and bodyshops continue to report skills gaps, not because the work isn’t there, but because the industry is changing quickly. EV technology, ADAS, calibration readiness, advanced materials, modern paint systems, structural repair and digital estimating are all raising the bar on capability.

That’s why the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event (UKGBE) is putting skills, training and career development front and centre. Returning to NEC Birmingham on 3rd and 4thJune 2026, UKGBE will bring together 200 leading suppliers and over 5,000 professionals across the garage, bodyshop and vehicle detailing sectors, combining an interactive exhibition with live demonstrations, hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions. 

The 2026 event will also feature over 80 hours of free training and practical sessions, designed to help technicians and business owners build confidence in the skills they need now, and the ones they’ll need next. 

Crucially, events like UKGBE can help the industry tackle the attraction challenge head-on. If unemployment is rising, the conversation can’t just be “where are the technicians? “It has to be “how do we make the pathway in clearer, more welcoming, and more visible?” That means stronger links with colleges and training providers, better-quality apprenticeships and mentoring, and creating entry routes that support people who are willing to learn, even if they don’t arrive fully formed.

Joanne Knowles, Event Director at Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of UKGBE, commented: “Those unemployment figures are a reminder that there are thousands of people, especially young people, who want a real opportunity. The aftermarket can offer exactly that - a practical, skilled career with progression, purpose and long-term security. UKGBE is designed to bring the industry together around skills, not just to showcase innovation, but to make training more accessible, build confidence through hands-on learning, and help garages and bodyshops connect with the next generation of talent.”