fuel innovation, drive talent, accelerate growth

The automotive industry is in a state of unprecedented transformation, driven by advancements in electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving (AD), connected car technologies and sustainable manufacturing. This rapid evolution is creating urgent demand for specialized skills in areas such as battery engineering, software development and advanced supply chain analytics. Traditional talent pipelines can't keep pace. 

Geopolitical shifts are accelerating localized production. As manufacturing footprints adjust to these pressures, the industry's ability to secure and retain specialized talent — precisely when and where it's needed — will determine its capacity to navigate change and capitalize on market opportunities.

looking ahead

65%

of manufacturing talent feel that AI helps improve their productivity (global: 62%), as do 57% of employers (global: 54%).

81%

of manufacturing employers predict that at least half of entry-level jobs will disappear in the next five years due to AI (global: 76%).

60%

of manufacturing talent say they feel more connected to their manager than the company as a whole (global: 63%).

43%

of manufacturing talent say they want to follow a traditional, linear career path (global: 41%).

Global workmonitor research 2026

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expert’s take


Andrea Salvini

Andrea Salvini
global executive lead,
strategic accounts
Randstad Enterprise

driving a talent-abundant future: 3 ways automotive companies can optimize their workforces

Build agility amid transformation. Discover how leading organizations in the automotive sector are moving beyond static structures to navigate talent scarcity, unlock hidden capability and redesign work.

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your partner for talent

The automotive industry is evolving quickly, demanding a workforce that's both agile and innovative. To keep pace, companies need an integrated talent strategy that goes beyond simply attracting new hires. From actively developing existing employees, to fostering a culture of continuous learning and effectively combining cutting-edge technology with human ingenuity. By partnering with Randstad Enterprise, you gain access to tailored end-to-end talent solutions all designed to improve talent access for critical roles and guide workforce transformation.

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next-generation recruitment model for a global automotive leader.

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strategic sourcing to build a pipeline of technical talent.

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meeting aggressive hiring goals to staff a new plant.

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start-up ramps up to enterprise-level with high-volume, highly skilled IT talent.

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see all our automotive insights.

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our automotive experts


Andrea Salvini
global executive lead, strategic accounts
Randstad Enterprise

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