Job market information
Finding out about vehicle parts, distribution and supply
The vehicle parts, distribution and supply industry is part of the automotive retail sector, represented by the IMI Automotive Sector Skills Council, which also includes: vehicle maintenance and repair; vehicle sales; and vehicle rental and leasing. The UK automotive retail sector employs an estimated 514,572 people, accounting for 1.9% of the UK workforce. Future growth for the whole sector is forecast to be an increase of 2% by 2017.
The vehicle parts, distribution and supply industry comprises both wholesale and retail sale of all motor vehicle parts and accessories. All types of vehicle are covered from parts for lorries, cars and vans to motorcycles and lift trucks. Both retail and wholesale businesses are included in this industry.
Key facts:
- There are approximately 98,968 people working in the industry in around 11,800 business units.
- Up to 2007, this industry has seen the greatest decline in employment numbers of all the industries in the automotive retail sector.
Jobs in the industry include: parts manager, workshop controller, customer service advisor, parts manager, parts advisor, telesales representative, warranty administrator.
Entry and progression
There are no formal entry requirements for these roles, though employers may look for previous experience in rental and leasing or general business and administration experience. Some skills may be able to be transferred into other job functions, such as sales, and other non‐technical roles, such as business support. Individuals may start off as a trainee parts advisor and move to a supervisory or management position.
For those wishing to enter a senior role, employers may look for previous experience and related qualifications, plus some underpinning knowledge of how motor vehicles work and the components that makes up an engine, as well as a good understanding of their cliental and their needs.
There are a range of industry endorsed courses, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and training schemes available to those wishing to enter the industry.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
98,968 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
estimated 11,800 |
|---|
| Note: The following data are for the automotive retail sector as a whole. |
| Gender: |
82% male |
18% female |
|---|
| Less than 1% of all staff working in skilled trades is female. |
| Ethnicity: |
6% of the workforce is from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background |
|---|
| Age: |
17% of workforce is 16‐24 years |
|---|
| 48% 25‐44 years |
| 35% over 45 years |
| 86% of the workforce work full‐time. |
| 7% of workers are migrant workers. |
| 16% of workers are self-employed, running their own businesses or specialising and contracting out to larger, established organisations. |
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2008 and Labour Force Survey, 2008.]
Employment trends and future prospects
The vehicle parts distribution and supply industry has seen negative jobs growth since 1998, which has seen the greatest decline of 14%. However, between 2007 and 2008, there was an increase of 18% in employment numbers. There are approximately 98,968 people working in the industry, which accounts for 19% of the automotive retail sector workforce. Employment in the industry is forecast to decline to 85,499 by 2017.
Skill requirements and shortages
Skill shortages are most likely to occur where employers are recruiting people into skilled trades and professional occupations. However, for the vehicle parts distribution and supply industry there are no specific shortages.
Occupational trends
There are no data on occupational trends by industry. The following data are for the automotive retail sector as a whole.
Automotive retail sector occupational distribution
| Managers and Senior Officials |
20.2% |
|---|
| Professional Occupations |
1.1% |
|---|
| Associate Professional and Technical |
4.8% |
|---|
| Administrative and Secretarial |
11.7% |
|---|
| Skilled Trades Occupations |
34.2% |
|---|
| Sales and Customer Service Occupations |
0.1% |
|---|
| Personal Service Occupations |
12.7% |
|---|
| Process, Plant and Machine Operatives |
9.1% |
|---|
| Elementary Occupations |
6% |
|---|
There is a significant gender bias within most occupations in the automotive retail sector with men outnumbering women in almost all occupations. 86% of all managerial positions are held by men. Women make up the majority of workers in administrative and secretarial roles, where they account for 70% of workers.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There is an estimated 8,657 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 5% since 1998. The East Midlands accounts for 10% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to forecast by 4% in the region by 2017.
East of England – There is an estimated 9,587 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 7% since 1998. The East of England accounts for 11% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to increase by 4% in the region by 2017.
London – There is an estimated 8,634 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 22% since 1998. London accounts for 10% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 14% in the region by 2017.
North East – There is an estimated 3,676 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 38% since 1998. The North East accounts for 4% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 11% in the region by 2017.
North West – There is an estimated 10,077 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 2% since 1998. The region accounts for 12% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 4% in the region by 2017.
South East – There is an estimated 15,001 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 2% since 1998. The South East accounts for 17% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to increase by 17% in the region by 2017.
South West – There is an estimated 9,201 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 28% since 1998. The region accounts for 11% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 16% in the region by 2017.
West Midlands – There is an estimated 13,764 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 9% since 1998. The region accounts for 16% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by only 1% in the region by 2017.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There is an estimated 8,477 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 9% since 1998. The region accounts for 10% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by 15% in the region by 2017.
Scotland – There is an estimated 7,678 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 43% since 1998. Scotland accounts for 8% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by 1% by 2017.
Wales – There is an estimated 4,216 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 15% since 1998. Wales accounts for 4% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 2% by 2017.
The following data are for the automotive retail sector as a whole:
Northern Ireland – The automotive retail sector has seen a growth in employment over the past decade, to an estimated 13,893 jobs. Employment is forecast to continue to increase by 17% by 2017. It accounts for 3% of all national employment within the automotive retail sector.
Salary levels
Typical salaries range from
- trainee £6,000
- senior operative £20,000
For more information on pay scales in the industry see Autocity 
.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using IMI Automotive AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
