The Transport Committee is calling for evidence as it launches an inquiry examining how the Government can support transport manufacturing in the UK.
The inquiry plans to examine the ‘health’ of the motor vehicle, bus, ship, airplane, and train manufacturing sectors and how the skill requirements of these roles have changed in recent years.
The committee also expects MPs to examine how these needs could change and what educational routes may be needed to continue the ongoing work and encourage growth. It also hopes to look into how local authorities can impact these sectors alongside Skills England and the Government.
Transport Committee chair Ruth Cadbury MP said: ‘The Transport Committee’s new inquiry will look at the transport manufacturing workforce, how new talent can be brought in, and how today’s workers can be upskilled.
‘Fixing these problems could make the UK more attractive to inward investment from transport companies in other countries who want to import UK-made vehicles, or who’d want to set up their factories here. Having a thriving, skilled workforce could also reduce the risk of companies upping sticks to other countries, leaving communities behind.
‘We want to scrutinise how effectively government departments work together to resolve these issues, and how the Government can achieve the aims of its new industrial strategy.’
The call for evidence is focussed on nine questions:
- What are the main skills needs facing transport manufacturers?
- How far is there overlap between the skills needs of manufacturers in different transport sectors?
- How effective are the pipelines for new workers into transport manufacturing, including from schools and colleges, from universities and apprenticeships, and recruiting older workers returning to or changing jobs?
- How have technology and net zero changed the skills mix that is needed, and how prepared are transport manufacturing industries for future changes?
- What are the main challenges in upskilling existing workforces?
- Are there particular skill shortages, or examples of success in developing skills, at different points in the supply chain?
- How effectively are different government departments working together, and working with local and combined authorities, to ensure transport manufacturers have the right incentives and support for maintaining a skilled workforce?
- How effectively will the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and sector plans support skills in transport manufacturing? What is missing?
- How can the UK grow employment in transport manufacturing?
The deadline to submit evidence is 15 September 2025. Further information about where and how to submit can be found here.
Image credit: Shutterstock @Gorodenkoff
