FTA warns of mechanics shortage

More than half (52.7 per cent) of vacancies for vehicle mechanics, technicians and fitters will not be filled in the near future which could mean operators facing more downtime for vehicles, The Freight Transport Association has warned.

Lawrie Alford, head of automotive at the FTA, said: “Vehicle mechanics, technicians and fitters play a vital role in keeping the UK’s logistics sector running seamlessly, but the pool of these skilled engineers is declining rapidly; more than half of vacancies for these roles will not be filled in the near future, according to FTA’s 2019 Logistics Report.

“Currently, six million vehicle inspections are undertaken per annum by 30,000 technicians working on HGVs, trailers and PSVs. But unless the skills shortage is tackled, workshops will struggle to keep up with demand and queues for vehicles inspections and repairs will grow longer and longer.

“Operators will be forced to place their vehicles in ‘downtime’ for increasing periods, which could cause their operations to come grinding to a halt; not ideal for the consumers and businesses who have come to expect superfast, “just-in-time” deliveries,” said Alford.