11:39 am, June 7, 2019
NEARLY two-thirds of automotive professionals have seen an increase in the number of female personnel in workshops, according to research from CitNOW.
Alongside highlighting a changing skillset among workshop technicians, a study by the personalised video specialist revealed that 61 per cent of automotive professionals have seen an increase in the number of female workshop personnel over the last five years.
Being a workshop professional also appears to be more widely valued as a career. Over three quarters (77 per cent) of workshop pros believe that the automotive technician is respected outside the industry.
With exciting new technologies hitting UK roads and workshops alike, there is a breadth of new opportunities for skilled technicians, making working in the industry an attractive proposition for a more diverse group.
Expertise with technology will be key for workshop technicians, with personalised video predicted to nearly triple in importance over the next five years, just as more young and tech-savvy professionals join the industry.
Alistair Horsburgh, CEO of CitNOW, which is one of the four headline partners at CDX next week in Farnborough, said: ‘With workshop technicians becoming more diverse, bringing with them a more modern skillset, the future of the industry looks bright.
‘Personalised video is now a key skill for technicians, often forming an integral part of workshop apprenticeships, and specialist training for technicians from programmes like the CitNOW Academy are needed to help develop this broader skillset among more tech-savvy, younger professionals.’
Gavin White, managing director, Autotech Recruit, said: ‘As the workshop evolves, it is vital that vehicle technicians receive the relevant training to work with new technologies, like video, as having the experience will soon become a fundamental part of the recruitment process.
‘There is a collective responsibility for industry leaders to help develop this expertise among aspiring vehicle technicians, ensuring they fit the requirements of modern workshops, allowing them to maintain quality service levels and continue running successfully.’
The findings follow CitNOW’s Workshop Professional of the Future report, which examines industry opinion on the developing skill set of workshop technicians in future.
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