Automotive Industry Jobs | Jobs & Careers

Many young people, in particular young men, are attracted to working in the automotive industry. If they enjoy working with all types of automobiles, the job can almost seem like a hobby! Workers tend to start their automotive career as apprentices at quite a young age. They may start at the bottom rung learning the manual and technical skills required, perhaps working in garages. Once they have successfully developed their skills and after a few years of experience, they may move on to different aspects of the job -- maybe in sales and marketing --working in a car dealership. Some choose to work in the automotive industry because it is possible to learn a trade while earning a wage. This tends to be important to young people just out of school. For the more entrepreneurial, it is possible to set up your own automotive business and achieve the dream of being your own boss in the long run. There are even the lucky few who may get the rare opportunity to work in the most glamorous world of motor sports!

Key Recruitment Areas in the Automotive Trade

After sales
Body Repair & Fit
Design & Development
Finance & Leasing
Fleet Operations
Motor sport Parts Advisor
Quality & Testing
Service Receptionist
Vehicle Sales
Vehicle Technician
Engineer

There are opportunities for both graduates as well as non-graduates within the motor trade. The higher level positions include jobs such as Design Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and Marketing Managers. Shop floor and blue collar jobs include welders, fitters, car cleaners and paint sprayers.

Qualifications, Training and Apprenticeships
The following are some nationally-recognised, vocationally-related qualifications that you may need to help you find a job in the automotive industry:

Technical Certificates (VRQs)
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
IMI National Qualifications (VRQs)

For each of these qualifications, make sure you register with an approved training provider. In most cases, you can choose to take your courses either full or part-time. Some training providers offer short courses and even weekend courses to help those who may have other job commitments.

Once you have attained some qualifications, you should look for an apprenticeship or a work placement. An apprenticeship will offer you the opportunity to learn in a real-life environment. This type of learning is invaluable in the automotive industry. Of course, if you are looking for graduate employment within the automotive industry, you will need to work towards gaining a degree, for example, in Engineering.

The following organisations and general resources will be able to provide information on obtaining the correct qualifications, training and finding apprenticeships in whichever area you choose:

AGCAS - Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services
BBC Education Online (BBC Work)
City and Guilds - 'The Real You' careers website. Aims to provide young people aged 16-19 with information to help find the right qualification for the right job for them.
CRAC - Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC)
Connexions - UK government's strategy to support every young person
learndirect - details on courses at local level and careers information
Modern Apprenticeship - "Real Work, Real Pay" on the DfES website
NCWE - The National Council for Work Experience
Prospects - The UK's Official Graduate Careers Website
Salary Services Ltd - salary, appointment surveys and job trends
The Paper Boy - links to local newspapers
UCAS - Universities & Colleges Admission Service for the UK

How To Find Jobs in the Automotive and Motor Trade Industry

Recruitment Consultancies -- Some job-hunters prefer to register their details over the internet while others prefer to discuss their requirements face-to-face with a recruitment consultant. Either method is effective, depending on which you are most comfortable with. There are key benefits in choosing to use the services of a recruitment agency -- as they are experts in their field, they are better equipped to sell your attributes, skills and qualifications to any prospective employer. They are also generally better at negotiating higher salaries and other perks on your behalf!

Job Centres -- if you visit your local Job Centre , you will certainly be able to find many jobs being advertised in the automotive industry, particularly in dealerships and garages in your locality. While searching for a job, thus make it a point to visit your Job Centre regularly to ensure you receive information about the most recent jobs on offer. If you prefer, you can access the Job Centre's online job- search facility, called JobCentre Plus.

Classifieds -- If you browse here or through any of the classifieds in your local or regional newspapers, you are more than likely to find jobs being advertised for the automotive trade. Some of these classified ads may be available both online and offline.

Contacting Employers Directly It is also possible to send speculative CV and a covering letter to any of the automotive employers you would like to work for in and around your area. You might be lucky and your application may arrive just at the time that they may be looking to fill a vacancy. This way, if they like your skills and if you are suitable, you may not have to compete with too many other applicants!

Trade Magazines and Journals -- online and offline trade media -- magazines, journals, newsletters, circulars and other publications -- usually publish a Jobs Section advertising current vacancies in different areas of the motor trade. A leading magazine for the automobile industry is Motor Trader.

National Newspapers -- Every week, the national newspapers generally have a recruitment section focussed on a particular industry. Find out which day they advertise vacancies for the automotive industry. The broadsheets such as The Guardian -- tend to carry more graduate-type jobs. The tabloid newspapers may carry more shop floor or manual jobs.

Trade Bodies and Organisations
An alternative method of finding out about jobs and careers in the automotive industry is to contact the appropriate trade body. There are many trade bodies and organisations representing the motor trade in the UK. Even if they do not specifically advertise jobs, these professional organisations will be the highly valuable places to obtain information and contact details of prospective employers. Additionally, they will be well-placed to give advice many issues including salaries, benefits, training opportunities and working conditions.

Automotive Aftermarket Liaison Group (AALG)
Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF)
Body Repair Industry Campaign (Bric)
British Cleaning Council (BCC)
British Independent Motor Trade Association (BIMTA)
British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA)
Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IME)
Institute for the Motor Industry (IMI)
Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA)
Motorcycle Retailers Association (MRA)
Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA)
Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (Thatcham)
Motor Vehicle Dismantlers Association (MVDA)
Motor Vehicle Repairers Association (MVRA)
National Motorcycle Council (NMC)
Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF)
Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA)
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA)

Last Thoughts
The UK motor industry is one of today's most dynamic employment sectors. Its future relies entirely on the successful recruitment and training of high calibre young people who can be developed into skilled professionals in a range of disciplines. It is not just a career for the technically- minded. The motor industry needs professional staff in sales, management, marketing, human resources, finance and administration. For those with the right qualifications under their belt, the automotive industry offers plenty of opportunities If you have the confidence and ability to perform in this exciting sector, the rewards can be very attractive.