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The motor industry is facing a skills shortage crisis if it does not train 120,000 skilled workers in the next decade, according to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

Graduates and students who want to get into the motor retailing sector may be encouraged by the news that the IMI wants to double the number of apprentices in the automotive retail industry.

Sarah Sillars, chief executive of the IMI said: "With rapid vehicle evolution, a shifting retail landscape and intense scrutiny from consumer groups, a robust and respected retail motor sector of the future means that we need to attract and retain highly capable young people who have got what it takes to make a career in what is a highly credible professional vocation."

Motor retail businesses currently have more than 11,000 vacancies and nearly half are for highly skilled technicians.

The IMI has backed up its claims by reducing the apprentice admission fee by 40 per cent.

The minister for skills, David Lammy, has welcomed the IMI's plans. He said automotive retail demands a "highly skilled workforce" and bringing more young people into the motor industry will "compliment the government's pledge to increase apprenticeships".

The IMI has 25,000 individual members and gives technical and non-technical qualifications to people looking for careers in the motor industry.

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