Tips to Help you Become an Automotive Technician in the UK

• by Kris Cook
• January 11, 2023
• 9 min read

An automotive job involves maintenance, repair, and inspection of light trucks and other vehicles, which sounds simple on paper, but there’s more to becoming an automotive technician than that, we promise you.

It is a job that requires not only knowledge but also skills, but if you’re looking for vehicle technician jobs, you’re in luck.

The automotive industry is booming, and there are plenty of opportunities available for technicians at all levels of the scale, meaning you can start from any level – from beginner to expert – and, ultimately, prosper.

But how do you become a vehicle technician? That’s the question many have asked but have been given no clear answer to, until now.

In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of becoming a vehicle technician in the UK. We’ll discuss the necessary qualifications and training and give tips on finding a job in the automotive industry.

So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

How to Become an Automotive Technician in the UK?

Let’s get this out the way first:

Getting an automotive technician job is hard only if you lack the proper qualifications and skills.

It means you must graduate with the right degree, certification, or diploma.

In some instances, skills and experience working under another qualified individual is all you need to get your foot in the door, but nine times out of ten you’ll require some level of accreditation, handed to you from an established institution.

And that doesn’t always mean that you have to follow an exact route to get you where you want to be. There are various pathways for budding automotive technicians in the modern day!

Other than a degree, you’ll also need to have:

A Passion For Cars

Having a passion for vehicles is a given for a technician job like this. If you don’t love cars, then this might not be the job for you.

This is an important part of becoming an automotive technician due to the amount of motivation it provides. If you’re interested in vehicles, and having a career in this lane, then you should find it easy to focus and retain information.

This is because you’re already interested in vehicles and are therefore open to any and all information related to the subject.

Someone that doesn’t care as much and is just looking for a well paying job, might struggle, as they lack this sort of spark that pushes them forwards.

We understand that everyone is different, but passion can’t be taught, you either have it or you don’t, and having it gives you quite an advantage going into this type of job.

A Good Understanding Of Vehicle Mechanics

This is something that is usually taught by a trained professional, either at an academic level or elsewhere.

A good understanding of vehicle mechanics includes both the theory and the practical application of vehicle mechanics, meaning you need to understand how these vehicles work to the nth degree.

You also need to be able to diagnose any issues that could arise and the best way to go about fixing them.

This can take time due to the complexity of these vehicles, especially electric vehicles that are a different ballgame completely compared to ICE vehicles, and therefore, might require a completely different approach.

Good Problem-Solving Skills

As we’ve just mentioned, when something goes wrong with a vehicle, it’s your job to figure out the problem and how to fix it.

This will require creative thinking and resourcefulness the likes of which can only be found in a job like this as every vehicle is different to some degree, requiring a near-encyclopaedic knowledge of every vehicle, more or less.

Keeping on top of how these vehicles work, and any updates to how they’re run, will help strengthen your problem solving skills.

We’d recommend spending an hour or two each week looking into future changes or future tech. Doing so will ensure that you’re well ahead of the curve once these changes go into effect.

All the best automotive technicians do this, and is how they’re able to roll with the punches despite the crazy number of changes there might be.

What’s the saying?

Ah yes, those that fail to plan better plan to fail.

Patience, Patience, Patience

Everyone in the UK would be an automotive technician if it were that easy. Truth is, it isn’t and will require a hell of a lot of patience at every stage of this process – from your training to how you apply it all in a legitimate setting.

Sometimes, the solutions to the problems you face aren’t as simple as they might seem, which is as frustrating as it is annoying.

You can combat this by being patient and by not giving up at the very first hurdle. Again, vehicles are highly complex machines, and understanding how to approach them from an automotive technician’s point of view takes time.

In other words, things can and will go wrong, but it’s important to keep a level head and not give up. All the best technicians face hit stop signs like this from time to time, but they always end up succeeding in the end.

Why?

Because they’re patient, it’s that simple.

Qualifications and Training Needed to Become an Automotive Technician

The first step for many prospective technicians will be to get a degree in automotive engineering from a university or college; this will give you the theoretical knowledge needed to work as an automotive technician.

As great as these things are to have, you will also need experience to help bolster your chances.

Practical experience is a must, as it shows you can apply theory with your hands, rather than simply knowing what to do but lack the skills to execute what needs doing.

The best way to do this is by completing an apprenticeship under another qualified and experienced person. Apprenticeships are great as they teach you everything you need to know while paying you!

Tips For Finding/Getting A Job in the Automotive Industry

In this section we will look at specific tips for finding a job in the automotive industry – tips that many budding technicians use to get their foot in the door.

This will be a rapid-fire section (a bit like an FAQ), as most of the tips we have are pretty self-explanatory or don’t require a lot of additional info, such as our first tip, which is to send your resume out to local garages and dealerships.




Send Your Resume To Local Garages And Dealerships

One of the best ways to find a job in the automotive industry is to send your resume to local garages and dealerships. Many of these businesses are always looking for qualified technicians.

Look at Online Job Postings

Another great way to find vehicle technician jobs is by looking online, either on company websites or various third-party job sites. Many websites list automotive jobs as well as other types of jobs.

Network with People in the Industry

If you know someone who works in the automotive industry, ask them if they know of any open positions. Networking is a great way to jump the queue, so to speak, and get your name out there.

Dress To Impress

You’ll need to dress the part if you manage to bag yourself an interview. After all, making a good impression can make or break your chances of getting the job. Turning up in casual dress can decide your fate without even saying a word.

Be Prepared To Answer Questions About Your Experience

The interviewer will most likely ask you about your previous experience working with vehicles. Be prepared to answer these questions and give specific examples of your skills. The more detailed you can be, the better.

Ask Questions About The Company

Eagerness is a very effective way of showing you care about the position you’re applying for, it also clues you in on important information relating to the company. Try to prepare three questions before the interview.

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Technician Jobs

Some of the tips in the previous section might appear rudimentary or obvious to anyone looking for this type of role, but that isn’t always the case for younger folk who want a career in automotives, but lack the knowledge to get started.

Let’s round off this post by looking at some frequently asked questions about automotive technician jobs:

How Much Does An Automotive Technician Make?

That depends on your qualifications, experience, and the location where you’re applying. Generally, automotive technicians make between $30,000 and $50,000 per year.

What Are The Benefits Of Becoming An Automotive Technician?

The benefits of becoming an automotive technician include doing something you like (passion for vehicles), working with your hands, working independently, and having a stable career.

How Much Experience is Required To Work As An Automotive Technician?

You must have at least a few years of experience working with vehicles. The best way to gain this experience is by completing an apprenticeship under another qualified and experienced individual, such as a mechanic.

Where Can I Find Vehicle Technician Jobs?

There are many places you can look for vehicle technician jobs. You can send your resume to local garages and dealerships, look for online postings or network with people in the industry. You can also keep an eye on job boards that list automotive jobs.

What Should I Do If I Have No Experience Working With Vehicles?

If you have no experience working with vehicles, you should consider taking some courses at a trade school or community college. You can also try to find an apprenticeship under another mechanic.

Tips to Help you Become an Automotive Technician in the UK

Some of the tips in this post might appear rudimentary or obvious to anyone looking for this type of role, but that isn’t always so clear for younger individuals who know what they want to be when they get a bit older but don’t know where to start.

Hopefully, we’ve given those individuals a confidence boost in knowing what it takes to be an automotive technician in the UK.

By following the tips mentioned above, you will be well on your way to becoming an automotive technician in the UK. Just remember to never give up, stay positive, and keep learning.

There are plenty of automotive technician jobs out there, you just need to look!

Kris Cook

Hey, I’m Kris, a Junior Content Strategist at E4TP. At the moment I live in the world of EVs, keeping up on current trends in the space, and delivering quality content. I’m a creative type both inside and outside of work, in that I write poetry in my spare time, design independent zines, and paint. When I’m not knee deep in any of that, I collect vinyl (my collection has around 150 LPs in it), and enjoy spending time with pals outdoors, mostly on a bike — or in another country.

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