Vehicle manufacturer Terrafugia has announced the world’s first flying cars could go on sale as early as next year.

The company is now taking orders for the Transition, a flying car with foldable wings.

It has already boosted its workforce from 20 engineers to 200 in order to meet expected demand.

The news comes as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders brought the motoring industry back down to earth by warning that leaving the EU without a Brexit deal could add around £1500 to the price of a car from our former single market partners.

The uncertainty may be making the industry nervous but the fact remains we will still be driving – or flying – cars, whatever their point of origin.

This means the people working in the UK’s automotive industry are vital to keep the nation on the move.

And with innovations such as the Transition showing the sky’s no limit, now could be the perfect time to get into this fast-moving sector with a new role.

Automotive engineer

This is where it all begins: the planning process that gets every vehicle moving. An automotive engineer can specialise in creating cars, motorbikes, buses or trucks.

You’ll need a commercial head as well as a technical one – vehicle development can be expensive so keeping to a budget is vital.

In this role you can be involved in the initial design, the research and development, or the production phase.

A degree in relevant engineering subjects is required, while there are postgraduate qualifications available specifically in automotive engineering.

If you have an HND qualification in engineering, you can go on to further study or work as a technician and progress from there.

There are also roles available as assembly line operators.

Motor mechanic

It’s fair to say good motor mechanics will always be in demand. There are certainly regular opportunities online for those who’ve always liked tinkering under the bonnet.

While academic flair is not vital, qualifications such as a certificate in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair are helpful.

There are also apprenticeships as a motor vehicle service and maintenance technician. These offer on-the-job training with day release to college.

Of course, you’ll also need a driving licence and a sensible approach to driving, as well as good communications skills in order to explain to customers what needs to be done and why.

Driving instructor

A calm demeanour, people skills and lots of patience are required to get a wide range of learners through their tests and on the road.

All instructors need to apply through the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and be at least 21 years old by the time they finish training.

All the requirements are on the gov.uk website, which also provides more information about the training providers for the approved driving instructor (ADI) exams. Pass 1 and 2 means being able to charge for lessons, while a pass at part 3 means gaining a place on the ADI register.

There are large companies that employ instructors and the possibility to take on a franchise.

Car salesperson

This is a job for the real enthusiast. To convince someone else to drive away with a new vehicle, a salesperson needs to know their cars inside and out.

You must also be able to communicate effectively with everyone who walks into the dealership – from the nervous newbie to the seasoned driver who likes to get the best deal possible.

As with many sales jobs, this takes drive and enthusiasm but also a good knowledge of the market, as you might need to price trade-ins as well as sell new models.

Good numeracy skills help along with the ability to explain things clearly and in a jargon-free way for customers.