Automation to eradicate almost 1.4 million UK automotive jobs by 2030

Almost 1.4 million automotive sector jobs in the UK will be eradicated by automation by 2030, according to the findings of a new study.

Arden University found that the sector is set to lose 1,387,194 jobs in the hands of automation and technological advances in the workplace as 30% of all jobs in the UK could be eradicated due to automation changing the workforce.

And the changes are not all on car manufacturers’ production lines.

According to the 2030 Workforce Report those currently working in automotive’s wholesale, retail, and repair of motor vehicles sector will account for 44% of the automotive sector losses – 610,365 employees.

Carl Lygo, the chief executive and vice chancellor at Arden University, said: “As automation begins to play a greater role in economic production, it will disrupt these industries the most significantly, with the effects being felt across society and the nation’s economy.

“Upskilling is most urgent – particularly for the employees who may not have the digital skills to prepare them for the evolving jobs of the future.

“It is now up to education institutions to ensure they are teaching and preparing the next generation for the jobs of the future and not solely for the jobs of today.”

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has repeated warnings about the need to upskill the UK’s automotive sector in recent years, particularly in a bid to keep up with the shift towards electric vehicles (EV).

The results of Arden University’s 2030 Workforce Report showed that over a half of jobs are set to become extinct in the transport and storage industry (56% of jobs), in the wider automotive sector, with manufacturing (46%), admin & support services (37%), and public admin & defence, social security/ financial & insurance services (32%), also expected to undergo a massive shift in the next decade.

Lygo said: “The pandemic has magnified this shift with the rise of home-working and online socialising.

“Yet whilst much of the population becomes ever more proficient, for some, a lack of technological proficiency or access risks them being left behind.

“It is without a doubt that automation will result in a foundational change to the landscape of work. Higher education institutions now have a very important job to do to ensure that the nation is ready and prepared for the jobs of the future.”