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These cars are conquering the Polish automotive market
2023, which can be described as a good year for the Polish automotive industry, was also an announcement of a deterioration in the economic situation. The slowdown is reflected in lower employment dynamics in 2024. However, it is worth pointing out the areas where new jobs are emerging.
Automotive still needs employees
In the automotive industry, employment in after-sales services, i.e. service and customer service, is increasing. However, the greatest demand for staff occurs in the area of sustainable production development, where modern methods of producing products generate demand for highly qualified specialists.
– A particularly important example is electromobility and work on autonomous vehicles, which result in an increase in demand for the competences of ecological technology engineers, experienced programmers and automation and robotics specialists. Automotive also invests in research and development, creating R&D units that employ, among others: scientific workers – says Katarzyna Kloc-Pawlik, recruitment expert at Grafton Recruitment.
The greatest challenges faced by companies in the automotive sector include growing competition from countries with lower labor costs, as well as increased production costs resulting from changes in consumer preferences in terms of product quality and functionality. In addition, there are rising prices of raw materials such as steel and aluminum.
– The automotive industry continues to feel the effects of the economic slowdown in key sales markets, which translates into lower demand. Another challenge is the shortage of qualified employees, including those specializing in new technologies, and the need to further transform the industry and change the production profile to electric vehicles. At the same time, growing competition and the resulting greater pressure on productivity are a source of uncertainty among employees, comments Katarzyna Kloc-Pawlik.
Electromobility – chances for stable, lucrative employment
Due to the ongoing green transformation, the electromobility sector is becoming one of the priorities for the Polish economy. Its development is additionally stimulated by EU regulations in the field of ESG, forcing changes in the entire automotive industry, also at the level of remuneration rates.
In 2023, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) supported investment projects worth over EUR 7.4 billion. Projects supported by PAIH cover virtually every stage of the supply chain.
– Even a single investment by one of the sector's leading companies may involve dozens of smaller projects. An example is LG Energy Solution in Kobierzyce near Wrocław, which put Poland on the map of potential locations for investments related to electromobility – explains Monika Kisiel, Manager Direct Investments Department, Polish Investment and Trade Agency.
– Moreover, related projects of LG's sub-suppliers reached a value of almost EUR 3.2 billion, equaling the value of the original investment project. Polish enterprises that established cooperation with new representatives of the sector also benefited from this – notes Wojciech Rydel, Manager Direct Investments Dapartment, Polish Investment and Trade Agency.
Salary levels in the automotive industry
In the automotive industry, a plant director earns up to PLN 38,000, a production manager up to PLN 22,000, and a production engineer up to PLN 14,000 depending on experience and region. The maintenance manager can count on a maximum of PLN 19,000, a mechanic will receive a salary of up to PLN 9,000, and an electrician up to PLN 10,000. Lower salaries are offered to a CNC operator – up to PLN 8,000, a production operator – up to PLN 7,000, an assembly line worker and forklift operator – up to PLN 6,500, and a quality controller – up to PLN 6,000.
According to the "Remuneration Report in the Industrial Sector", automotive and equipment production is the sector that recorded the highest average increase in salaries in the industrial sector – by 7.6%. A year earlier it was 9%. In distribution centers it amounted to 7.1%, similarly to the previous year. The smallest salary increases were received by employees of research and development centers and engineering centers (2.4%, a year earlier 11.6%).
– There are still many opportunities for the automotive industry, but also a number of challenges. The ability to quickly adapt and readiness to learn throughout life are crucial not only in the context of personal and professional development of employees, but also in relation to the development of companies – emphasizes Danuta Protasewicz, Regional Manager at Grafton Recruitment.
