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The Government’s Assessment of Priority Skills to 2030 may not mention “vehicle technicians” by name, but the message for the automotive sector is clear. With Advanced Manufacturing and Clean Energy listed as priority areas, the skills needed to service, maintain, and repair electric vehicle (EV) technology is now firmly part of the future skills agenda.
A Shortage That Cannot Be Ignored
The skills crisis in the automotive sector is already well understood. A recent industry study shows that, if current training levels continue, the UK could face a complete shortage of EV-qualified technicians by 2047. Today, only around 24% of the UK’s 245,000 technicians are certified to work safely on EVs - leaving three-quarters of the workforce without the skills needed for a market that is rapidly electrifying. The challenge is clear; what the sector needs now is greater support to close this gap.
The Surge in Second-Hand EVs
The urgency is underlined by the rapid growth of the used EV market. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), demand for second-hand battery electric vehicles grew by 40% in Q2 2025, with nearly 69,000 transactions. Electrified models now represent almost 10% of all used car sales. As more of these vehicles fall out of manufacturer warranty, they are beginning to filter into the independent aftermarket - placing significant pressure on workshops that are already grappling with limited resources, ageing workforces, and rising demand for new diagnostic capabilities.
Higher Skills, Higher Stakes
The Assessment of Priority Skills to 2030 shows that around two-thirds of future roles in priority sectors will require Level 4+ qualifications. For the automotive industry, that translates directly into higher-level skills in areas such as EV systems, battery technologies, and advanced diagnostics including ADAS - all critical to servicing the vehicles now entering the independent aftermarket.
With so few technicians currently qualified, the skills gap risks becoming a significant bottleneck for the industry’s ability to deliver safe, reliable service.
The Independent Sector Under Strain
Franchise dealerships may have greater capacity to invest in training, but independent garages - the backbone of UK vehicle servicing - are under immense strain. They face the dual challenge of meeting immediate, and rising, customer demands while finding the time and investment to upskill. Without targeted support, the independent sector risks falling further behind, widening the gap at precisely the moment when demand for EV maintenance is accelerating.
A Call for Greater Support
The automotive industry cannot bridge this skills gap alone, and greater support will be essential. Accessible EV training programmes, particularly for independent garages, are essential alongside mobile solutions that bring training directly into the workplace to minimise downtime and costs. Flexible delivery is key, ensuring technicians can upskill without stepping away from the workshop for long periods. At the same time, ongoing CPD and structured upskilling routes must keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies such as ADAS and EVs, so that the workforce is always ready for the vehicles coming through their doors.
The surge in used EVs, coupled with the slow pace of technician upskilling, is creating a perfect storm for the UK automotive industry. Unless greater support is directed to training, particularly for the independent sector, the skills shortage could undermine not only business sustainability but also consumer confidence in the EV transition.