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The number of people starting their automotive apprenticeships rose 4.2% to 10,940 starters in 2013.
Only 2% of apprenticeship starts in the automotive retail sector were female.
Apprenticeship start figures have been falling since 10 in the face of economic recession.
The biggest improvement in apprenticeship starts came in vehicle sales, with an increase in uptake of 233%.
Vehicle parts, vehicle maintenance and repair, and vehicle body and paint also showed slight increases.
The findings come ahead of proposed changes to the model of apprenticeship programmes, coming in England from 2017.
The government’s proposed changes would see the administration duties of apprenticeship registration shift from the training provider to the employer, along with an added financial contribution.
“Apprenticeships starts are a key indicator of growth in the automotive retail sector and the increase of new starts in 2013 are a sure sign of green shoots in the industry,” said IMI CEO Steve Nash.
“In particular, the increase in vehicle sales apprenticeships demonstrates improved confidence and new opportunities for automotive businesses.
· 2013 saw 10,940 apprenticeship starts, an increase of 4.2% on 2012
· The increase is the first since 2010 which saw a peak of 11,310 starts
· The highest increase in starts was in vehicle sales, up 233%
· Other increases included vehicle paint and body (9.8%), vehicle maintenance and repair (3%) and vehicle parts (15.9%)
· The majority of automotive apprenticeship starts were in vehicle maintenance and repair (8,390) followed by vehicle body and paint (1,140)