Skill shortage is a common problem faced by the automotive industry, with the UK’s Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), predicting a decline of 160,000 workers this decade. This skill shortage is significantly hindering the growth of independent garages, and in turn increasing costs for motorists.
So how can garages attract new talent and overcome this issue?
Go deeper with GlobalData
The upcoming SERMI regulation, is a digital certificate required by Independent Operators (IOs) and Remote Service Suppliers (RSSs), to provide access to security-related repair and maintenance information (RMI) like keys, ignition, and ECU data (SERMI stands for security-related repair and maintenance information).
By offering access to the repair and maintenance information, SERMI allows independent garages to perform faster, more accurate repairs, reducing customer wait times and improving service reliability. This regulation helps garages compete with dealerships, improving customer satisfaction and trust, it is claimed.
We spoke with Marcel Wendt, CTO, and founder of Digidentity, to discuss what the SERMI regulation means for the industry and to highlight its benefits.
Just Auto (JA): What are some of the reasons the automotive sector is facing skill shortages?
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataMarcel Wendt (MW): It’s hard to pinpoint one sole reason for the automotive industry’s skills shortage. What I do know is the industry is rapidly advancing turning cars into roving data centres which need digital skills and knowledge to repair them effectively. There’s also an aging workforce, and a lack of specialised training programs, all of which contribute to this shortage.
Along with economic instability and global competition, inadequate apprenticeship programs are also contributing to the problem. These factors have created a significant skills gap, making it challenging to find and retain the necessary talent. The industry then struggles to keep pace with technological advancements and market demands.
Along with economic instability and global competition, inadequate apprenticeship programs are also contributing to the problem.
Recently there has been a renewed focus on the tech side of the automotive trade. This is bringing a new breadth of interest for workers looking to join the industry, creating other roles for new people looking to get into the trade.
What is the upcoming SERMI regulation?
Essentially, SERMI is a scheme that allows independent garages to access important security-related information about vehicles, such as keys, locks, and engine details – straight from the manufacturer. In the past, only authorised dealers had this access. Now, with SERMI, local garages can quickly and safely get the information they need to fix cars, making repairs faster and easier for customers.
SERMI is set to come to the UK later this year and will improve the overall performance of local garages by allowing them to access the same information that authorised dealers have. This changes the game for independent garages, enabling them to provide more trust to drivers, with proven credentials and qualifications that are authorised remotely via a simple yet extremely secure system.
As the approved Trust Centre for the SERMI scheme, Digidentity offers secure electronic identification across both the EU and UK, giving independent repair shops access to the same repair information as dealerships. Through a secure virtual token developed and deployed by Digidentity, once identification is complete, an individual employee can access information from each manufacturer through this single verification safely and securely.
What are the main benefits this regulation will bring?
The SERMI scheme will facilitate access for local garages to security-related repair and maintenance information housed on the vehicle manufacturer’s portal, ensuring a secure and efficient process for accessing essential information.
As the body designated by SERMI and approved by the European Commission, Digidentity is responsible for managing the digital certificates and authorisation status of the employees and providing a vehicle manufacturer with information regarding the authorisation status of an IO [independent operator] employee. It ensures trust and security between all parties, enhancing security in the automotive sector.
For drivers, SERMI will bring benefits such as faster repairs because local garages can easily obtain information without waiting for manufacturer authorisation. This will create more choices of service providers and will create healthy competition within the automotive sector and lower costs for drivers. This will create improved service quality as independent garages will be able to offer the same level of expertise as authorised dealers.
In addition, drivers will have greater trust in access repairs from the local garages knowing that the data in their cars are only being accessed by authorised professionals. Overall, SERMI will improve customer trust and satisfaction, knowing they have reliable and secure choices for their vehicle repairs.
What do you see the future holding for the skill shortage issue?
With the rise of EVs, self-driving cars, and the increase of data collected by automotive, there will be an increased demand for training and education.
Investing in upskilling the current workforce and attracting new talent by promoting the industry’s high-tech opportunities will be crucial.
With the rise of EVs, self-driving cars, and the increase of data collected by automotive, there will be an increased demand for training and education.
The SERMI regulation will enable the independent garages to have access to the essential vehicle data previously withheld from authorised dealers. All of this will enable more garages to handle complex repairs and maintenance on modern vehicles, which will level the playing field with dealerships and expand the skilled workforce.
