JUST THE JOB.
BY GAVIN WHITE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AUTOTECH RECRUIT
Putting temporary recruitment into high gear for the coming year
V
ast amounts of column inches, when discussing recruitment within the automotive industry, are given over to the skills shortage in the industry. There are widespread reports on the efforts and investment being made to retain and safeguard the present workforce, while enticing the next generation to enter the sector. All well and good, but what happens if a dealership or garage is unprepared for periods of staff shortages? In short, they could lose thousands of pounds a day in revenue from an empty bay. We’ve now emerged from the Christmas hangover and thoughts are focused on the year ahead. While many businesses will go through periods of economic highs and lows, ultimately, demand will follow a similar pattern. March and September are traditionally both busy months for MOTs. Last year there was a 10 per cent increase in MOTs due to the 2014 car sales boom, which, through consecutive annual sales, is forecast to be repeated this year.
The winter months also see a peak in servicing due to the cold weather affecting older vehicles. And, of course, the summer months will, undoubtedly, be a period of staff holiday. It’s not rocket science. But, railroaded by annual strategies, planning for inevitable periods of high demand and staff shortages is something which is usually managed on a reactive basis. However, faced with the hard fact that empty bays could mean a financial hit of around £12,000 of gross margin per month, the situation is brought into stark reality and suddenly the issue becomes a proactive matter. Through evolving technology, and the influx of electric vehicles, highly skilled technicians are increasingly in demand by garages and dealerships, and there is a growing pool of proficient candidates ready to fill workforce deficits on a temporary basis. However, recruiting these technicians is a case of first come, first served. A garage won’t necessarily recruit a temporary
worker who is proficient in electric vehicles, for instance, if they need cover the following day. It requires a more joined-up approach, a review of the previous year’s activities and the trends shaping the industry, while looking at optimum capacity. If you had to turn business away during a particular month last year but were left with an un-manned bay, chances are the same will happen this year. Having the flexibility to say yes and ensure that all bays are full could mean at least an additional £12,000 a month profit. As with all recruitment strategies though, relying on temporary technicians to plug the gap requires deliberation to ensure the right person fits the bill. To this end, it is essential that recruiting temporary technicians is built into an annual business strategy so the garage has the flexibility to take on additional work and, ultimately, boost their bottom line. For more information please contact hello@autotechrecruit.co.uk or call 01234 240503.
Who is Gavin White? After spotting a gap in the market for a recruitment agency dedicated to placing temporary workers in the motor trade, Gavin established Autotech Recruit in 2010. As an agency solely focused on the automotive aftermarket, Autotech Recruit supplies MOT testers and vehicle technicians on a contract and permanent basis. Seven years on and Gavin now employs more than 20 staff at the company’s head office, with a contractor network of 300 MOT testers and vehicle technicians, supplying workshops across the UK.
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