‘Most of the UK's EV talent lies outside the automotive giants’ and that is the opportunity

According to an article published recently on LinkedIn's news titled, 'Most of the UK's EV Talent lies outside the automotive giants' , only 16% of the UK’s EV talent works for vehicle manufacturers in the UK, using data collated through LinkedIn’s Economic graph . This may come as a surprise to people outside of the automotive industry, but not to me. It most certainly does not mean that the UK is not committed to electric vehicles or that we are not a significant player in the global market.

For decades, car manufacturing has primarily been a design, assembly, logistics, and marketing operation. ?However, the components that make up cars are typically outsourced to an extensive range of specialist supply chain manufacturers worldwide.

Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) crystalises the reality. In the UK,

• 198,000?people are employed in vehicle manufacturing and some?813,000?in total across the wider automotive industry, so 24% work for vehicle makers
• More than?25?manufacturers?build more than?70 models?of vehicle in the UK, supported by?2,500 component providers, who also export globally

Behind the scenes, the UK EV support industry is vast and growing;? again, the SMMT paints a picture of the scale of the UK supply chain with its EV Supply Chain Directory , which is 134 pages long, and this does not even reference the thousands of car dealers with their aftersales expertise or the extensive charging infrastructure sector.

The transition to EVs is not just a shift in technology, but a catalyst for the creation of new roles and careers. These opportunities, which are still in their infancy, include the use of collected by the cars themselves, autonomous driving, smarter road systems, and logistics management for reduced mileage. The education sector must play a crucial role in preparing tomorrow’s talent for these emerging opportunities.

The switch to EVs is not just a change in transportation but a reinvention of a vital part of the UK economy and our sustainability. The country's ability to adapt and embrace the shift from petrol/diesel to electricity could have a profound impact on our economic and environmental future. As product and industry lifecycles shorten, the EV sector stands as a beacon of opportunity for today's and tomorrow’s talent.