Auto-electrician
Introduction
Auto-electricians maintain, service and repair the electronic parts and
electrical wiring of motor vehicles. They find and diagnose faults and then
repair or replace wires or parts to fix it. They also carry out routine servicing,
such as checking batteries and MOTs.
Also known as
Car Electrician
Vehicle Electrician
Work Activities
Auto-electricians are specialists in the electrical and electronic systems that are used in motor vehicles.
In modern cars, computers regulate things like brake systems, fuel injection, navigation equipment and engine
systems. Cars also have electric windows and side mirrors, and digital dashboards.
Auto-electricians use a plug-in computer to find faults within a vehicle's electronic systems. The computer reports
back with information from a particular part of the vehicle. This may show up a problem such as a break in an
electronic circuit.
On older vehicles, auto-electricians use test equipment such as ammeters and voltmeters to identify breaks in
electric circuits.
They check electronic circuits against circuit diagrams, and use hand and power tools to make repairs. When they
have completed a repair, they test the circuit or part to make sure it is working correctly.
They also make adjustments, as well as check and top up batteries as part of routine servicing. They may take part in
MOT tests, to make sure a vehicle is safe to travel on the road.
Auto-electricians install some new accessories such as audio systems, alarms and car phones. They may go to
breakdowns with mechanics and repair faults at the site.
Auto-electricians may specialise in cars, heavy goods vehicles, buses or coaches. Some auto-electricians specialise in
one make of vehicle.
Their work usually takes place in garages or workshops, which may be cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.
Personal Qualities and Skills
As an auto-electrician, you need:
A logical and methodical mind to trace faults.
To be good with your hands, and physically fit to cope with lifting, bending and working in cramped conditions.
To be able to work accurately on your own and as part of a team.
To pay close attention to detail.
Good practical skills.
An awareness of health and safety issues.
To be prepared to take responsibility for your work, which can affect the safety of customers and colleagues.
To keep up to date with any changes in technology which relate to your work.
Good communication skills to discuss faults with drivers and colleagues.
To be able to understand written instructions and technical drawings.
To be prepared to work in all types of weather.
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If you travel out to repair a vehicle you'll need a full, clean driving licence. Your colour vision may be tested.
Pay and Opportunities
Pay
The pay rates given below are approximate.
Auto-electricians earn in the range of £15,000 - £20,000 a year, rising to £21,000 - £29,000. Higher earners can make
around £35,000 a year.
Auto-electricians may be paid an hourly rate, normally ranging from £7 - £14 per hour.
Hours of work
Auto-electricians usually work a 39-hour week, Monday to Friday. Overtime, including Saturdays, may be available.
What's happening in this work area?
The automotive repair and maintenance industry has suffered significantly during the recession as people are putting
off minor, non-essential routine vehicle repair work. Independent garages, relying on word-of-mouth for business
rather than advertising/marketing, seem to have been less affected than other garages.
There is evidence that many businesses in this sector are making redundancies and are not replacing these staff.
It suffers from a shortage of high-skilled personnel, and also a shortage of women, with around 3 in 4 jobs being
taken by men. As a result, men are expected to bear the brunt of expected fall in employment.
Full time employees are also expected to suffer the main job losses.
Part-time employment is increasing in importance.
Future skills needsThe following skills shortages have been identified:
Technical and practical.
Customer handling.
Management.
Accounting/finance.
Where could I work?
Employers include garages catering for private car/van owners and large companies and organisations with their own
fleets of vehicles (for example, local authorities, gas and electricity companies, and the police).
Other employers include taxi firms, road haulage companies, and bus or coach operators.
Opportunities for auto-electricians occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, at Jobcentre Plus and on the
Universal Jobmatch website.
Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies, internet job boards and the
websites of motoring organisations.
Entry Routes and Training
Entry routes
You usually enter this career by applying for a trainee post with an employer.
An Intermediate Level or Advanced Level Apprenticeship is a great place to start.
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Training organisations, such as Retail Motor Industry Training (Remit), and some of the larger employers provide
relevant Apprenticeships.
Some people study full-time at college before entering employment, for example, for an Edexcel (BTEC) National
qualification in Vehicle Technology or an Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) level 2 or 3 qualification in Vehicle
Maintenance and Repair (Auto-electrical).
Training
Training takes place either in the workplace, with day- or block-release to a further education college, or a
manufacturer's centre of excellence.
Qualifications relating to air conditioning systems are also available.
Progression
After gaining relevant skills, you might then be able to take the level 4 Certificate in Advanced Automotive Diagnostic
Techniques.
You could also join the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) programme, which tests the skills and knowledge
of technicians working across the motor industry.
Qualifications
To get onto an Intermediate or Advanced Level Apprenticeship, you’l l usually need five GCSEs at grade C or above,
possibly including English and Maths.
Adult Opportunities
Age limits
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.
Skills/experience
Practical or technical skills gained, for example, as a garage assistant or tyre/exhaust fitter, are useful. Paid or unpaid
experience of electrical work is an advantage.
Courses
You can study towards Edexcel (BTEC) and City & Guilds qualifications on a full- or part-time basis, and perhaps
through day- or block-release to college while in employment.
Most colleges will consider applications from older candidates who don't have the usual entry requirements. You
should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.
Further Information
Professional institutionsProfessional institutions have the following roles:
To support their members.
To protect the public by keeping standards high in their professions.
For more information on the institution(s) relevant to this career, check out the contacts below.
Contacts
Apprenticeships: Get In. Go Far
National Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
Website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Skills Development Scotland - Modern Apprenticeships
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Tel: 0800 9178000
Email: info@skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
Website: www.myworldofwork.co.uk/modernapprenticeships
Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)
Skills for the motor industry
Address: Fanshaws, Brickendon, Hertford SG13 8PQ
Tel: 01992 511521
Email: comms@theimi.org.uk
Website: www.theimi.org.uk
Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships
Tel: 0800 028 4844
Website: ams.careerswales.com/
Related Careers
Vehicle Technician
Motorcycle Technician
Heavy Vehicle Mechanic/Technician
Construction Plant Mechanic
Tyre Fitter
Automobile Engineer
Automobile Engineering Technician
Roadside Technician
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