Job market information
Finding out about automotive manufacturing
The automotive manufacturing industry is part of the engineering manufacturing, science and mathematics sector, represented by Semta Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: electronics and electrical equipment manufacture; mechanical equipment manufacture; metals; transport equipment manufacture, including marine and aerospace; and science. Across the sector as a whole, the workforce comprises approximately 2 million people, working across around 75,000 companies. UK engineering and science turnover is over £250 billion. British engineering exports amount to 37% of total UK exports of goods and services. The UK is Europe’s top location for investment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development.
The UK automotive manufacturing industry covers a range of companies involved in manufacturing of:
- whole vehicles (such as cars, commercial vehicles, buses and coaches)
- bodies (coachwork) for motor vehicles
- engines and components (such as exhausts, wheels, gear boxes, safety belts and airbags).
It also includes companies involved in the manufacture of trailers, motor sport related vehicles, fire engines, buses, coaches, vans and lorries.
Key facts:
- There are an estimated 154,400 people employed in the automotive manufacturing industry, across 3,220 workplaces in Great Britain.
- The UK is a source of manufacturing sites for a number of well known international car manufacturers.
- 96% of the workforce is full-time.
- In engineering, an estimated 6% of the workforce is self-employed.
Jobs in the industry range from: manufacturing production manager, design engineer, electronics engineer, mechanical engineer, production engineer, quality control inspector, engineering maintenance technician, laboratory technician, engineering craft machinist, fitter, sheet metal worker, welder, assembler, motor vehicle manufacturing operative, labourers in process and plant operations.
Entry and progression
There is a range of relevant industry endorsed courses (at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level), apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and training schemes available. Entry requirements vary considerably in the industry. The following gives an overview of some of the qualifications required at different levels:
- Managers and senior officials – Often have a degree in an engineering discipline; or in a management or production management subject; or a higher national certificate/diploma (HNC/HND) combined with extensive work experience, such as having completed an advanced apprenticeship.
- Professionals – Most would usually have a degree in an engineering specific discipline or a subject physical science, such as physics or chemistry. Specific levels of study and experience would be required for professional engineers seeking to become a chartered or incorporated engineer.
- Associate professional and technical occupations – Most enter through Advanced Apprenticeships, which require GCSEs. Most technician apprentices study for Level 3 qualifications. Specific levels of experience and study would be required by those seeking professional registration as engineering technicians.
- Administrative and secretarial occupations – There are often no formal academic qualifications required to work in role although mathematics, English and IT skills are advantageous.
- Skilled trades occupations – Most enter through Advanced Apprenticeships, which require GCSEs. Many will have work-based competencies to Level 3 and have gained the relevant vocational qualifications.
- Process, plant and machine operatives – Some employees enter through Apprenticeships. Some working in specialised jobs may have work-based competencies to Level 2 and have gained the relevant vocational qualifications.
- Elementary occupations – There are often no formal academic qualifications required to work in this role although mathematics, English and IT skills are advantageous. Some labourers may be qualified to drive a fork-lift truck, use lifting equipment or hold health and safety certificates.
There are a wide range of opportunities at levels for those wishing to change career direction and enter the industry. At the craft, technician, professional and management occupational levels, there are opportunities for people who hold relevant degrees, Further Education qualifications or other industry recognised certificates and who have work experience in an engineering environment.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
154,400 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
3,220 |
|---|
| Gender: |
19% of the UK engineering workforce across all occupations is female, including assembly type occupations, office staff and sales and marketing |
|---|
| 17% of all engineering management roles are occupied by women |
| 7% of professional roles are occupied by women |
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2007.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Due to the recent economic climate, it is not possible to predict the long term figures for company requirements for numbers of employees, but it is predicted that the importance of the automotive industry and the cautious approach taken by many of the lead manufacturers will lead to employment opportunities for skilled and experienced workers as the economic climate improves.
Operator and assembly job roles are likely to decrease in the automotive industry. However, as the business climate improves, there will still be employment opportunities, created by the retirement of current employees.
Skill requirements and shortages
All sectors in the economy face major skill challenges as the nature of work alters and global competition intensifies. The pace of change is likely to be particularly rapid within most parts of the engineering industry. Those employees with no qualifications are likely to face particular challenges.
The ageing of the current workforce is a concern for many employers. Because many skilled and experienced workers are approaching retirement age and, there will be a need to replace them with other skilled craft, technical and professional workers.
The main skills gaps for the automotive industry are:
- Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11)
- CNC Machine Operation
- Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- Welding skills
- Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)
Occupational trends
Occupations crucial for the future include:
- Design engineers
- Electronic engineers
- Production engineers
- Technicians – equipment, process and product
- Maintenance
- Toolmaking
- Prototyping
The following will affect new and emerging jobs:
- Legislation and commitments to invest in research into low carbon technologies, energy saving and the production of vehicles that use less fuel and produce less pollution.
- Recycling – there are likely to be roles for people who are skilled at designing and running manufacturing departments that focus on how a vehicle will be recycled at the end of its life, as well as being able to design products and manufacturing processes that minimise wastage in the amounts of material used in making the vehicle or its components.
- Use of new materials and the development of alternative fuelling systems will also require people with an understanding of these new technologies gained through study and practical experience.
- Rapid prototyping, together with structural testing using modelling and computer simulations will become more prevalent.
- Alternative sources of power generation – roles will emerge for people with a background and understanding in this area.
Overall, graduates in the future will need multi-disciplinary understanding of both mechanical and electronic systems.
National and regional data
The greatest concentrations of employment in the automotive industry within the UK are in the West Midlands and the North West of England.
East Midlands – There are an estimated 13,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 340 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,400 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); assembly line/production robotics; and welding skills. 27% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Derby City, Leicester City, South Derbyshire, Charnwood, Hinckley and Bosworth and Ashfield.
East of England – There are an estimated 13,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 380 companies. There is a total requirement of 3,880 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); CNC machine operation; and coach building. 27% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire, Luton and Basildon.
London – There are an estimated 5,800 employees in the regional workforce, in around 160 companies. There is a total requirement of 1,130 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include general machining. 26% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Barking and Dagenham, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow.
North East – There are an estimated 12,100 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 100 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,560 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Engineering (CAE); and welding skills. 49% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and Sedgefield.
North West – There are an estimated 18,100 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 370 companies. There is a total requirement of 5,020 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: general engineering skills; and coach building. 38% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Fylde, Knowsley, Crewe and Nantwich, Stockport, Oldham and Preston.
South East – There are an estimated 12,500 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 410 companies. There is a total requirement of 830 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: CNC machine operation. 23% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around West Berkshire, Basingstoke and Deane, Milton Keynes, Eastleigh, Portsmouth, Crawley and Medway.
South West – There are an estimated 11,300 employees in the regional workforce, in just under 380 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,070 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: assembly line/ production robotics; craft skills; electronics; fabrication; mechanical fitters; and software engineering. 31% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Stroud, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Swindon, South Somerset, Poole and Plymouth.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 39,500 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 550 companies. There is a total requirement of 7,260 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); CNC machine operation; Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Computer Aided Engineering (CAE); tool setting; welding skills; and fabrication. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, Coventry, Dudley and Telford and Wrekin.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 12,900 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 310 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,900 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: CNC machine operation; craft skills; and multi-skills. 32% of the workforce is employed as vehicle body builders and repairers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Rotherham and Kingston upon Hull.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 3,400 employees in the regional workforce. There is a total requirement of 840 employees needed between 2005 and 2014. 46% of the workforce is employed as vehicle body builders and repairers. Skills gaps include: welding; CNC machine operations; mechanical engineering skills; metalworking; and electrical engineering skills.
Scotland – There are an estimated 3,600 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 110 companies. There is a total requirement of 260 employees needed between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps include: tool setting; and manufacturing. 27% of the workforce is employed as vehicle body builders and repairers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around the City of Glasgow, Fife, South Lanarkshire, the City of Aberdeen, North Lanarkshire and West Lothian.
Wales – There are an estimated 12,100 employees in the regional workforce, in just under 190 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,610 employees needed between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps include: Computer Aided Design (CAD). 32% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda, Cynon and Taff, Bridgend and Wrexham.
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, Census, 2001, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007.]
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry vary depending on individual experience, level of responsibility and location of job. So, the following only provides an indication of the average annual salaries of the current workforce:
- Manufacturing Production Manager – starting salary for new graduates or those new to the role is around £19,000 to £23,000. An experienced production manager can earn around £38,500. Some managers with high levels of responsibility earn more than £56,000 a year.
- Design Engineer – starting salaries for graduates are between £18,000 and £21,000. Experienced design engineers can earn on average around £35,000 or more, depending on their professional status. Senior design engineers can earn around £45,000 or more.
- Electrical Engineering Technician – starting salary for an individual in training may be around £15,000. An experienced technician earns around £30,000 a year. The most experienced technicians with high levels of responsibility can earn over £38,000.
- Engineering Maintenance Fitter – starting salaries range from £15,500 to £17,500, with first year craft apprentices starting between £8,000 and £10,000. The average pay for a fitter is around £27,000. Highly-skilled and experienced fitters can earn over £40,000.
- Welder – starting salaries range from £15,500 to £17,500, with first year craft apprentices starting between £8,000 and £10,000. Qualified welders earn on average £24,000, although this can be higher with overtime and shift work. Highly skilled welders with specialist qualifications or those carrying out specialist work overseas or underwater work, can earn over £31,500 a year.
- Electronics Assembler – new assemblers can earn around £10,500. Experienced assemblers earn between £13,500 and £17,000. The highest salaries are around £20,000 with overtime and shift work.
- Labourers in process and plant operations – salaries are in the range of £17,000 to £18,000, but can earn more if working nights or shifts.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using SEMTA AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
