Roadside technician
Help people whose vehicles have broken down or won't start. Fix the problem or get them and their vehicle to a garage.
Also known as: roadside recovery technician, roadside assistance technician, motor vehicle breakdown engineer, breakdown technician
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£481
Entry level
£769
Experienced
Monthly
£2,083
Entry level
£3,333
Experienced
Yearly
£25,000
Entry level
£40,000
Experienced
8,500
people are currently employed
Low growth
200 fewer jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would help people whose vehicles have broken down or won’t start. You’d go out to where they are and either fix the problem there or get them and their vehicle to a garage.
If a car, van or other vehicle has a problem during a journey, then the person driving would call their breakdown service. The call centre would then tell you where they are and what they know about the fault.
You would drive out to the scene of the breakdown.
Then you would:
Make sure the driver and any passengers are safe
Examine the vehicle
Ask the motorist for a description of what happened
Find the fault
If possible, do the repairs at the roadside
Tow or transport the vehicle to a garage, if it needs major repair work
The people who have been stranded by the breakdown will probably be annoyed or worried by the delay to their journey. You’d need to reassure them and explain what has caused the problem.
You would normally work on patrols – covering a certain area – and carry spare engine parts, a battery charger and full tool kit. You might also use computerised fault-finding equipment. To work with hybrid and electric vehicles you may require a wider range of skills and knowledge due to the additional health and safety hazards.
You’d fill in a record sheet for each job you attend. You’d need to be interested in motor mechanics and be aware of health and safety issues.
Hours
Environment
Travel
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- implementing ideas
- filtering
- attention to detail
- observation
- resourceful
- listening
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Design and Manufacture
Engineering Science
Practical Electronics
Skills for Work: Automotive Skills
Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
To be a qualified motor mechanic or vehicle technician you must gain relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Automotive (SVQ level 2/3) or City & Guilds qualification.
You could complete a Modern Apprenticeship to gain relevant work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in light or heavy vehicle maintenance and repair (SVQ Level 2/3).
You do not need formal qualifications to commence an apprenticeship, but many employers look for a good general education (SCQF level 4/5).
A Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence
Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) from the Institute of the Motor Industry
An IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) award in electric and hybrid vehicle system repair and replacement and routine maintenance to gain the knowledge and skills required to work safely around these vehicles.
A full current driving licence.
You may have to pass:
a driving assessment
written tests
an aptitude test
a medical examination
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