Staff shortage in bodybuilding: why efficiency is becoming more important than ever

In this article, we address: 

• The shortage of technical staff in bodybuilding that has grown structurally

• How companies cleverly deal with the increasing pressure in the workshop

Source image: plegtcarrosseriegroep.nl

Shortage in bodybuilding personnel

The Dutch bodybuilding industry is facing a structural shortage of skilled workers.
As early as 2022, 88% of the bodywork companies indicated that the shortage of technical staff is the biggest challenge for the coming ^years1.

More recent figures from the UWV confirm this picture

More recent figures from the UWV (November 2025) confirm that this shortage remains as great as ever. In the mobility sector which includes bodybuilding, occupations such as bodybuilder, damage repairer and mobile implement mechanic have been identified as 'very tight'. That means at least four vacancies per jobseeker. As a result, workshop workloads remain extremely high².

Why the shortage is expected to continue

1. Ageing and outflow
Many experienced welders, mechanics and electricians are approaching retirement age. Companies indicate that they are having trouble succeeding, while younger inflow remains limited.

2. Insufficient intake in training courses
The number of students in MBO courses focusing on bodybuilding or vehicle technology is lagging behind. To counter this, industry organisations are focusing on BBL routes ( vocational training) and lateral entry. Students learn the trade directly in a recognised training company, which reinforces practical professional knowledge

3. Technological shift
The rise of electric vehicles, multiplex lighting systems and composite materials calls for new expertise.
The industry is shifting from traditional construction work towards high-level technical specialism, with electrical engineering, cable systems and digital diagnostic systems playing an increasingly important role.

The consequences of personnel shortages for bodybuilders

The personnel shortage has a direct impact on daily practice:

• Higher workload in the existing team;

• Longer lead times for semi-trailers and chassis superstructures, and lighting for vehicle construction

• More error-prone complex cable and lighting installations;

• Rising wage costs, which cannot always be passed on in full.

Lessons from the construction industry

The personnel shortage has also been an issue in the construction industry for years. To cope with the shortage of skilled workers and increasing complexity, more and more construction companies are switching to modular construction: complete facades, bathrooms or technical installations are assembled in the factory in advance and only connected on site.

More and more coachbuilders are choosing to standardise processes and reduce manual work. The result? Less installation time, fewer failure costs and a more consistent quality level even with smaller teams.

For example, standardisation not only helps to speed up mounting, but also to reduce the dependence on scarce technical staff.
Moreover, it reduces the risk of interference, which directly contributes to quality and reliability in the workshop.

Fewer hands needed: how plug-and-play alleviates the staff shortage

The shortage of skilled workers in the bodybuilding sector is forcing companies to work smarter with fewer people. Plug-&-play semi-trailer lighting helps with this: what used to take hours of stripping and soldering is now done with a standardised connection in a fraction of the time — and without the need for an experienced electrician.

In the video below, you can see how this works in practice. A concrete example of how standardisation reduces reliance on scarce staff, without compromising on quality.

OOC: training and development fund for the bodywork industry

Besides technological innovation, knowledge development is also essential to keep bodybuilding future-proof. The Training and Development Fund for the Bodywork Industry (OOC) supports companies with practical initiatives to retain professionals and encourage new intake.

For example, OOC helps with BBL courses, apprenticeship projects and subsidies for in-service training in modern techniques such as diagnosis, electrical engineering and composite processing. These initiatives enable bodybuilders to invest in their people while accelerating the transition to smarter, more standardised work processes.

Those who now opt for smart, standardised solutions such as  
Lighting systems for trailers are building a workshop that’s ready for the future – Klemens Klein Overmeen from TRALERT® 

Outlook

The shortage of technical personnel in bodybuilding is not a temporary problem, but a structural reality that, according to the UWV, will continue until at least 2027. The workforce is barely growing due to an ageing population, while the demand for skilled mechanics and electrical engineers is actually increasing due to electrification and complex surface mounting.

Companies that now invest in standardisation such as 24V plug-&-play semi-trailer lighting see 20-40 % shorter installation times and less dependence on scarce craftsmanship. Those who also invest in BBL routes, lateral entry and further training in EV and diagnostic technology surface mounting a future-proof team faster.

Sources 

1. RAI CarrosserieNL / OOC Labour market report 2022 

2. UWV - Region in Focus 2025-2026 (November 2025) 
   Promising professions 2025-2026 

3. OOC Info: Showing young people the beauty of our profession (202