Latest News:
• New NFDA HR Survey reveals insights from dealer groups employing over 50,000 people
• Dealers plan to recruit in next three months, NFDA survey reveals
• Technicians, sales executives and service advisors in highest demand
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has launched a new ‘HR Survey’ to explore franchised dealers’ plans and views on a range of employment issues in the automotive retail sector including recruitment, employee engagement and the apprenticeship levy. The first edition of the NFDA survey was conducted in October and the results, published today (Monday 30 November), cover 919 franchised dealer sites and a total of 52,222 employees.
Highlights:
• Recruitment: answering the question ‘do you plan to recruit in the next three months’ 63% said they are planning to recruit technicians, 53.8% of respondents said they are looking to recruit sales executives, 46.1% service advisors, 36.9% apprentice technicians and 26.1% call centre staff.
• Apprenticeship levy: over 80% of dealers who responded to the survey plan to use the funds from the apprenticeship levy in the next 12 months with more than 50% planning on recruiting apprentice-based roles in the next three months. NFDA’s Drive My Career continues to support members by making young people aware of the career routes in the industry and driving them to dealers’ career pages with open vacancies.
Sue Robinson, NFDA Chief Executive, commented: “It is extremely encouraging that the majority of franchised dealers are putting people at the core of recovery and growth and planning to create jobs and recruit new workforce in the next three months.
“Dealers’ recruitment plans indicate a degree of optimism and it is positive to see they are giving significant importance to regular performance reviews and employee engagement activities with their current staff. Businesses need to ensure that employees not only feel supported and engaged but are also developed and guided through their careers.
“Focussing on bringing new talent into the industry has never been more important for the health of businesses and the whole economy”.
