Auto electrician Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Auto electrician

Hours

40 per week
Starting salary

£12,000 + per year

As an auto electrician you would fit and repair electrical and electronic systems in motor vehicles. As vehicles become more advanced the amount of electronic systems in them is increasing.

To be an auto electrician, you will need good practical skills. You will need good problem-solving skills. You will also need to be able to read electrical wiring plans.

You could get into this career through an Apprenticeship scheme. To get on to an Apprenticeship, you would normally need four GCSEs but this varies depending on the college or training provider.

The work

Your main tasks would include:

taking readings, using a laptop or hand-held device connected to an engine's electronic control unit (found in newer vehicles)
checking and testing wiring and parts in older vehicles using portable instruments
using the readings to find faults
researching faults, using manufacturers' circuit diagrams and specification manuals
repairing or replacing faulty parts
retesting the system to make sure everything is working correctly and safely (this may include road testing the vehicle)
filling out a repair sheet detailing the work you have done.

You would work with a variety of electronic systems including:

electronic ignitions, alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices
electric windows, mirrors and seats, towbar electrics and air-conditioning
customised LED or neon lighting kits, parking warning systems and reverse cameras.

You would also deal with in-car phones, TV, and audio and DVD players. You could specialise in light vehicles (cars, vans and motorcycles) or heavy vehicles (lorries, buses and coaches). If you work for a motor manufacturer, you may work on one particular vehicle model.

Hours

You would normally work 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. If your company operates a 24-hour breakdown or emergency service, you might have to work shifts or be on-call.

You would be based in a garage or workshop. If your job includes call-out duties, you would also work outside in all weather conditions.

Income

Trainees can earn up to £12,000 a year, depending on age and stage of training.

Newly qualified staff can earn between £14,500 and £17,000.

Experienced auto electricians can earn between £17,500 and £21,000.

Senior auto electricians can earn up to £25,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You could get into this career through an Apprenticeship scheme. To get on to an Apprenticeship, you would normally need four GCSEs (grades A-C) but this varies depending on the college or training provider.

The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships and the Institute of the Motor Industry websites.

If you are not eligible for an Apprenticeship, you could attend a college course before looking for work. Relevant courses include:

City & Guilds Vehicle Maintenance and Repair: Auto Electrical (4101) at Levels 2 and 3
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Vehicle Technology
IMI Awards National Award Auto Electrical (100/5581/2).

Check with local colleges for their course entry requirements.

You may need a driving licence, which might include LGV (lorries) or PCV (buses), depending on the vehicles you work with.

For more information about careers in the motor industry, see the Institute of the Motor Industry website or their careers portal Autocity.

Training and development

You will usually receive on-the-job training. You can work towards a number of qualifications including NVQs in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair at Levels 1, 2 and 3.

City and Guilds NVQs in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (4101)
IMI Awards NVQ in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (Auto Electrical 100/5532/0).

Manufacturers also run their own specialist training schemes, which can lead to technician status.

After gaining experience you could take the City and Guilds Level 4 Certificate in Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Techniques (4121) or the IMI Awards Level 4 Diploma for Master Technicians (100/5567/8).

You could improve your career prospects by joining the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) programme. This is a voluntary programme with three levels:

Service Maintenance Technician
Diagnostic Technician
Master Technician.

At each level you would take a series of practical exams and online tests. See the ATA website below for details.

Automotive Technician Accreditation

To meet EU legislation, all newly qualified Mobile Air Conditioning Systems (MAC) technicians must have gained MAC 'in-house' training or a qualification approved by DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs). A qualification has been essential since 4th July 2010. The following qualifications are approved by DEFRA:

IMI Level 3 Diploma in Automotive Air Conditioning and Climate Control
City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Mobile Air Conditioning Systems
ATA Air Conditioning Refrigerant Handler.

Contact the IMI and City & Guilds for more details.

Skills and knowledge

To be an auto electrician, you will need:

good practical skills for using a range of tools and electronic instruments
the ability to work methodically and pay close attention to detail
good problem-solving skills
the ability to read electrical wiring diagrams
the ability to work alone and as part of a team
good communication and customer care skills
the ability to keep up to date with developments in engine and electrical technology
an awareness of health and safety.

More information

Institute of the Motor Industry (Opens new window)
Fanshaws
Brickendon
Hertford
SG13 8PQ
Tel: 01992 511521
www.motor.org.uk

City & Guilds (Opens new window)
1 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 9DD
Tel: 0844 543 0000
www.cityandguilds.com

Opportunities

You could work for garages, dealerships, fleet hire companies, breakdown companies, road haulage firms and specialist auto electrical fitters.

With experience, you could progress to a supervisory and management role, or to vehicle sales or marketing. You could also set up your own business.

You may find the following useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The vehicle maintenance and repair industry is part of the automotive retail sector, represented by the IMI Automotive Sector Skills Council, which also includes: vehicle sales; vehicle rental; and vehicle parts, distribution and supply. The UK automotive retail sector employs an estimated 514,572 people, accounting for 1.9% of the UK workforce. Future growth for the whole sector is forecast to be an increase of 2% by 2017.

The vehicle maintenance and repair industry covers all forms of maintenance on all types of vehicles. Different types of maintenance and repair include:

Routine maintenance and repair – such as regular servicing of cars, lorries, motorcycles, vans, motorsport vehicles, fork lift trucks and the diagnosis and fixing of any faults
Accident repair ‐ reinstating of vehicles to original condition following the event of an accident (activities such as panel beating, re‐spraying, mechanical electrical trim replacement and auto glazing)
Roadside assistance – diagnosis and repair of faults of vehicles at the roadside
Body building – the design, build and fitting of bespoke body work for commercial vehicle chasses, such as fire engines, horse boxes and vans
Fast fit operations (tyres, exhausts, batteries etc.) – such as fitting of tyres, exhausts, brakes and suspension systems normally done whilst the customer waits

Key facts:

There is an estimated 193,789 working in the industry, in an estimated 37,985 business units.
The number of vehicle maintenance and repair businesses has increased by 48% over the last decade.
The number of jobs in the industry has grown since 1998.

Jobs in the industry include: service technician, diagnostic technician, master technician, workshop supervisor, management, motorsport technician, paint technician, MOT examiner.

National and regional data

East Midlands – There is an estimated 15,297 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 39% since 1998. The East Midlands accounts for 9% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to decline by 4% in the region by 2017.

East of England – There is an estimated 20,709 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 32% since 1998. The East accounts for 12% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to increase by 4% in the region by 2017.

London – There is an estimated 15,641 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 9% since 1998. London accounts for 9% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 14% in the region by 2017.

North East – There is an estimated 7,868 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 53% since 1998. The North East accounts for 5% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 11% in the region by 2017.

North West – There is an estimated 20,036 jobs in the industry. The region accounts for 12% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 4% in the region by 2017.

South East – There is an estimated 31,349 jobs in the industry. The South East accounts for 19% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to increase by 17% in the region by 2017.

South West – There is an estimated 18,911 jobs in the industry, which is a significant increase of 30% since 1998. The region accounts for 11% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 16% in the region by 2017.

West Midlands – There is an estimated 18,745 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 26% since 1998. The region accounts for 11% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by only 1% in the region by 2017.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There is an estimated 19,110 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 52% since 1998. The region accounts for 11% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by 15% in the region by 2017.

Scotland – There is an estimated 13,646 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 31% since 1998. Scotland accounts for 9% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by 1% by 2017.

Wales – There is an estimated 8,980 jobs in the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole has seen a growth in employment over the past decade jobs, but it is forecast to decline by 2% by 2017. The sector as a whole accounts for 4% of all national employment within the automotive retail sector.

The following data are for the automotive retail sector as a whole:

Northern Ireland – The automotive retail sector has seen a growth in employment over the past decade, to an estimated 13,893 jobs. Employment is forecast to continue to increase by 17% by 2017. It accounts for 3% of all national employment within the automotive retail sector.