The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has welcomed the government’s announcement of the new TechFirst AI skills programme, highlighting the urgent need for the automotive sector to prepare for the AI-powered future.
The government’s new TechFirst programme, announced as part of its modern Industrial Strategy, will invest £187 million to give people across the UK the digital and AI skills needed for the jobs of the future.
At its core is TechYouth, a £24 million initiative that will bring AI and technology learning into every UK secondary school, reaching over a million students in three years.
Alongside this, further strands, including TechGrad, TechExpert and TechLocal, will support graduates, researchers and small businesses with funding for AI-focused education and innovation.
For the automotive sector, this national skills push could be a game-changer.
With AI increasingly shaping diagnostics, predictive maintenance and data-led repair work, the programme’s focus on digital capability aligns directly with the skills garages will soon need on the workshop floor.
The IMI has called for swift action to unlock funding for employers, highlighting the specific challenges facing the automotive sector.
Nick Connor, CEO of the IMI, said: “The IMI welcomes the announcement today from Skills England that the UK’s AI skills gap needs addressing and it is particularly significant to see the automotive sector specifically referenced in the report, a clear acknowledgment of its vital role in the UK and its growth, security and net zero ambitions.”
“AI has long been seen as part of automotive’s future in key areas such as predictive maintenance and real-time analytics.
“This also leads to skilled needs in digital literacy, data interpretation and understanding the ethical implications of AI.”
Why it Matters
The UK government’s TechFirst AI skills programme isn’t just for tech companies, it has real implications for independent garages.
Tools for predictive maintenance, diagnostics, and real-time analytics will quickly become the new norm. Garages that embrace AI will work faster, more accurately, and more profitably.
Connor also stressed the importance of acting now, given the sector’s ageing workforce and the challenges faced by smaller businesses: “This investment in skills is both timely and necessary, with automotive’s ageing workforce, which could see a significant loss of knowledge leave the sector by 2032.
“The report also highlights particular issues faced by SMEs in obtaining and embedding AI training, which is even more acute in automotive due to the 92,000 businesses that have less than 250 employees.”
Finally, he reiterated the IMI’s commitment to supporting the sector and ensuring AI is implemented safely:
“The IMI is working alongside industry partners, education providers and policy makers to ensure that AI enhances safety and we remain committed to developing training, awareness and professional standards in this space.
“We now look forward to understanding how the government will support UK automotive in plugging the AI skills gap, as the sector can’t be responsible for funding this on its own.”
The inclusion of automotive in Skills England’s plan is seen as a recognition of the sector’s pivotal role in the UK economy and its journey towards net zero.
For independent garages, this new focus on AI and digital skills highlights the importance of training in emerging technologies such as predictive maintenance, real-time diagnostics, and data-driven decision making.
