IMI Diversity Task Force launches interim report

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has published its interim report on initial progress of the industry expert panel and the three working groups that make up the task force.

The IMI said the initial findings - which can be read here - identify acute gaps in knowledge and the need for leader and employee mentoring and support.

Launched in April 2021, the task force set out to find ways in which the industry can increase its appeal to a more diverse workforce, focusing on the growing skills needs of the sector and how the lack of diversity is compounding the issue.

Each working group, on race and ethnicity, physical and non-visible disabilities and gender identity, has presented general recommendations for the industry, as well as those focused more specifically on their areas of expertise.

General recommendations include benchmarking professional standards against cultural competency and developing continual professional development activities that effectively support diversity and inclusion within the automotive sector.

Professor Jim Saker, president of the IMI, said: “Even before we started this project, we were aware that there was much that we did not know, so identifying the gaps in knowledge was the first and most important task for our experts to undertake and we are enormously grateful to everyone who has embraced this huge undertaking by getting involved, enabling the work to move at a faster pace than we dared hope.

“The first nine months have challenged and energised our experts, highlighting many gaps in knowledge and demonstrating that small adjustments can bring about significant improvement.

“Now, each working group has presented their initial findings as well as several proposals to improve diversity within the automotive industry and we look forward to presenting the full report and final recommendations ahead of the IMI Dinner on 17th March 2022.”

Saker was one of a number of penellists who joined Automotive 30% Club founder Julia Miur on-stage for her ‘Change the Game: The leader’s route map to a winning gender-balanced business' presentation at Automotive Management Live 2021, back in November.

The presentation and panel discussions is available to view on-demand, alongside other content from the event.

Cox Automotive's efforts to boost diversity in the automotive sector with its 2022 Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award are currently underway.

The window to submit noiminations will close on January 21, so automotive firms are being urged to put their female leaders forward now.

The prestigious award honours inspirational women within the UK automotive industry who demonstrate a commitment to innovation and leadership.