JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016 - 257

FOCUS :

AUTOMOTIVE

Although still seen as
male-dominated, there are now
legions of women successfully
carving careers in every sector
of the automotive industry

Earn while you learn
Work-based training programmes
are widely available in many sectors
of the automotive industry. An
apprenticeship is an excellent way of
learning practical skills on the job, while
also gaining theoretical knowledge in
the classroom (usually for one day a
week). Plus it allows you to earn a
salary while gaining qualifications and
building a solid career. The motor
industry is one of the main UK
employment sectors offering
apprenticeships - as many as 12,000
every year according to the Institute of
the Motor Industry (IMI). And the
government is currently expanding how
many apprenticeships are available, so
it's a great time to take advantage of the
opportunity, especially if you prefer
practical learning to academic study.

Vehicle fitter

You'll oversee the maintenance of
the vehicles, as well as sourcing and
replacing vehicles as necessary. You may
also have to manage contracts, develop
new business and manage staff. The
schedules and availability of vehicles
will be under your remit, as will
managing budgets.
What skills do I need? You'll need good
management, organisational and
decision-making skills, and you must
be able to confidently lead a team.
Business management experience is
helpful, as are IT and maths, for
interpreting figures and forecasting.

How much will I earn? Salaries start at
around £25,000, and go up to £50,000
for senior managers.
What's the route into the job?
Experience in business management
is valuable, although some begin in an
administrative role. Qualifications
(from certificate to degree) in transport
management, operations management
and logistics all demonstrate the skill and
commitment required. Some companies
offer graduate training schemes. The
Institute of Car Fleet Management
(www.icfm.com) and the IMI
(www.theimi.org.uk) also offer training.

Vehicle fitters work in fast-fit centres,
testing, repairing and replacing tyres,
exhausts, batteries and other parts, while
the customer waits. The job may also
include balancing wheels, repairing
punctures, and checking the wheel
tracking, steering and brakes. You may
use computerised fault-finding
equipment to identify problems. The job
is usually based in a specialist tyre and
exhaust centre, but you may also work
for a car dealership, transport firm or
breakdown service. In time, you can
progress to a management role.
What skills do I need? You'll need to
be practical, technically-minded and
a problem solver. It also helps if you're a
team player, with good customer service
and communications skills.
How much will I earn? Salaries start
at around £13,000, rising to £23,000
with experience.
What's the route into the job? Entry can
be via approved college courses in tyre
fitting, component fitting and vehicle
technology. Another common route is a
vehicle fitting apprenticeship - contact
companies to ask about their schemes.
GCSEs in maths, English and related
subjects such as science, IT, design
and technology will all help.
J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 2 5 7
JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016

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