Sourcing Global Talent for Slovakia's Automotive and EV Sector Growth
Slovakia, Western Europe’s newest automotive manufacturer, has established itself as a significant automotive manufacturing powerhouse, especially after the country exceeded its production capacity to become the leading car manufacturer, producing over a million units annually. Slovakia has earned the moniker “Detroit of Europe” as it has attracted major automotive manufacturing companies, such as Volkswagen, Stellantis, Kia, and Jaguar Land Rover, over the last few years. As Slovakia continues to narrow the gaps in automotive manufacturing, it is positioning itself as one of the most significant contributors to the sector in the country. Currently, the sector contributes approximately 11% to Slovakia’s GDP and 10% to employment, respectively. Over 50% of the industrial sector is attributed to this sector.
Slovakia’s Emerging Automotive and EV Sector
The country is vast and fast-developing: consumer purchasing power is rising, infrastructure is improving, and many European sectors, from home appliances and pharmaceuticals to fashion and construction, have already established a strong presence there.
The accelerating pace of electrification, new norms for safety, the environment, and international trade are evolving and impacting how talent supply chains function. The shift from internal combustion to electric vehicles means fewer components, but far more specialized handling requirements. Battery systems and high voltage components qualify as ADR goods, calling for full adherence to safety regulations, special warehousing infrastructure, and trained personnel to handle these products.
Roadblocks in Slovakia Automotive Recruitment
The automobile industry is one of the most important sectors in Slovakia’s economy and at the macroeconomic level across Central Europe. In this era of transformative changes within the automotive landscape, it’s imperative for major Slovak automotive market players to strategically position themselves for the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). However, this transition is not without its challenges.
Recruitment Challenges in Slovakia’s Automotive Industry
- Aging workforce
A large portion of the automotive workforce is nearing retirement, creating expertise gaps that are difficult to fill due to a limited pool of skilled workers in EV plants. Finding replacements with similar levels of expertise can be challenging due to a limited pool of skilled candidates.
- Global competition
The automotive market is highly competitive globally, making it harder for companies to attract and retain professionals with the advanced skills required in areas such as EV engineering, cybersecurity, and analytics.
- Rapid technological advancements
With technology advancing at an unprecedented pace, there is a constant need for upskilling.
The major challenge is finding foreign talent in Slovakia who can abreast themselves with such developments.
- Skill shortage
A skills gap persists in the current labor market, especially in EV engineering, cybersecurity, and advanced analytics.
- Lack of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
The automotive industry has long been male-dominated, presenting significant challenges for women’s representation. While some progress has been made to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, there is still a long way to go.
Benefits of Partnering with a Staffing Agency
Leveraging a Slovakia automotive recruitment agency gives more added value than just reducing costs. Among other things, it can also be an opportunity to create a more flexible talent supply chain. When the demand for vehicles changes, manpower capacities must adapt to market needs. Outsourcing recruitment to a staffing agency can help resolve this issue and provide an efficient way for organisations to respond rapidly to fluctuating workforce demands.
Specialised recruitment firms have years of extensive, comprehensive knowledge, built up through cooperation with many brands in the industry. The emphasis on innovation and employing staff trained to meet the current needs of the automotive sector, in turn, results in an even more successful workforce offering new solutions.
Winning the Race for Automotive Talent
Oman Agencies has been helping automotive and EV companies evaluate their workforce status, create sustainable recruitment strategies, and achieve operational efficiency through refined hiring methodologies for more than five decades. With a strong team of hiring experts, Oman Agencies assists companies in navigating recruitment and associated legal and compliance terrain.
At Oman Agencies, we unlock the potential for companies to create a dynamic recruitment strategy tailored to match the responsive talent supply chain, target and secure the best candidates, and build a solid employer reputation. Oman Agencies empowers companies to manage their workforce needs by standardizing the recruitment process, managing brand alignment, and providing companies with a high-level automated recruitment and assessment tool.
Conclusion
The workforce needs to change, incorporating new skills with the existing knowledge base, as the automotive industry now focuses on electrification, automation, and sustainability. The workforce of any organization, regardless of the sector in which it operates, is a key aspect in supporting the necessary transformation toward excellence. A recruitment partner ensures that your organization is backed by the workforce you need to remain agile and effective. When companies partner with a reputable recruitment service provider like Oman Agencies, they build a foundation for lasting growth that is designed to sustain in the ever-evolving business landscape. Visit our website for answers to common hiring questions or contact us directly.
