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Dealership recruitment firms are reporting a big increase in motor trader staff looking to move job.
Edward Steele, managing director of Steele-Dixon, said the number of applicants on his books had near doubled.
“The number of candidates actively looking is on the rise, we have already registered almost double the normal yearly average.”
Steele said dealers want to increase their head count as a result of the industry’s rate of growth.
“There is a constant need for entry-level candidates across the industry in every discipline; an issue the entire UK retail automotive industry needs to face head on, together.
Management roles in aftersales appear to be plentiful as profit from service departments becomes ever more crucial,” he said.
Dan Unstead, director of Perfect Placement, said Q4 was a strategically important time for dealers as they get their year-end and staffing levels in order ahead of the new year.
“Q4 for nearly every motor trade business is about future planning and making sure the year ends on a high and you walk into Q1 with the right team and the right people leading.
“Every year we face two distinct Q4 issues, firstly working with businesses during this period of planning to make sure that we are ahead of the curve and that no-one is left wanting and secondly dealing with the high levels of senior management recruitment, which can be time consuming and long winded.”
Gavin White, managing director of Autotech, points to a more widespread shortage of technicians, again as a result of dealers selling and servicing more cars.
“Over the last five years we have seen a year-on-year increase in permanent placements for vehicle technicians and MoT testers in Q4 and this year is showing all the signs of doing the same.