IMI welcomes Wales’ new first minister

Eluned Morgan was confirmed as Wales’ new first minister last week, and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) said her "green credentials" provide great opportunity to build automotive skills across the country.

They said: "Having authored a Green Paper on energy while a member of the European Parliament, and worked as director of National Business Development in Wales for SSE (SWALEC), one of the UK’s largest energy companies, the IMI believes her understanding of sustainability issues will be invaluable in supporting the professional body’s mission to tackle the automotive sector’s skills gap so that the country’s net zero objectives can be achieved."

The professional body found that the UK automotive sector currently has approximately 20,000 vacancies across more than 200 varied roles.

In Wales, just 5.9 per cent of automotive technicians are qualified to work on electric vehicles.

The IMI said there is "an urgent need for recruitment and upskilling" across the principality.

“We very much hope that Wales’ new first minister will prioritise vocational training, which is vital for the sustainability of the automotive sector”, said Kevin Finn, executive chair of the IMI. “It is critical that everything is done to attract the next generation of talent into automotive as well as help career changers see the enormous scope of what is one of the fastest moving and most exciting sectors in the UK and Welsh economy.”

Morgan served as Wales’ health secretary since 2021, and is the first woman to hold the position of first minister in Wales.

Upon her appointment, she said: "It’s our job in government to provide everyone with the opportunity to fulfil their potential. This is based on the deep belief I have - that the success of one leads to the success of many."