Jobs and Careers Summer 2023 - 246

Driving
force
Want to steer a course towards
success? If cars excite you, a job in
the motor industry could be for you
T
he automotive industry
is a vital part of the UK's
finances, contributing
£67 billion turnover and
£14 billion value added to
the UK economy. Last year, over 775,000
cars, 100,000 commercial vehicles and
1.5 million engines were built in the
UK (according to the Society of Motor
Manufacturers & Traders). Eight out of
10 of those cars are exported overseas,
to 130 markets worldwide, generating
£77 billion of trade (over 10% of total
UK exports).
With more than 25 manufacturers
building more than 70 models, the sector
provides many varied jobs. More than
180,000 people are employed just in
manufacturing, with another 780,000
across the wider automotive industry.
As the UK government prepares to ban
the sale of new diesel and petrol cars
by 2030, the switch to electric cars is
providing new opportunities for growth.
In 2021, the government pledged
£350m to boost the electric vehicle
supply chain, with a further £620m
for targeted electric vehicle grants and
infrastructure. A third of all cars built in
the UK are now either electric or hybrid.
The Energy Saving Trust predicts
that by 2030, there will be 145 million
hybrid or electric cars worldwide. Almost
every major car maker now has electric
vehicles available or in development.
That means there are plenty of job
opportunities in the industry, from
" What I love most is the positive
change I can bring about "
Kate Ruberry-Shoemack is Head of People
& Communications at Rygor Group
I first joined Rygor 10 years ago, as a digital campaigns manager in the
marketing department. I'd worked with clients in the motor industry
in previous marketing roles and, as it's such an exciting and varied
industry, it felt like a good fit.
I've had so much training at Rygor to help my career, including doing the
CIPR Internal Communications Diploma - and a few years later, when my role
expanded, the CIPD Level 5. Now I'm doing my CIPD Level 7, a three-year
Master's-level course. My role is hard to describe, but it's about creating the
greatest workplace for our team members, attracting and retaining the best
employees, and bringing about positive change. Making the UK's Best
Workplaces List this year was a huge, exciting achievement for us.
My head is always full of ideas about what we can do next to improve things
- but it's about stepping back and considering what is the best thing to do first,
and what will make the most impact. What I love most is the positive change I
can bring about, whether it's enhanced maternity and paternity pay,
paid miscarriage leave, menopause policy or our in-house training hub.
It's the best feeling when a team member says, " This makes me proud
to work at Rygor Group, " because of something we've implemented.
246 /// JOBS & CAREERS /// jobsandcareersmag.com
http://jobsandcareersmag.com
Jobs and Careers Summer 2023

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