Breakdown Services

Careers

Attention to those transitioning from the armed forces! If you've served and are gearing up for a new chapter, this Breakdown Service Career Guide is tailored just for you. Skills such as logistics management, mechanical aptitude, and crisis response from your military service are highly valued in the world of breakdown services. Let's navigate this path together and uncover how your expertise can drive a fulfilling and impactful career beyond the forces.

What do breakdown services do?

As anyone who has faced a vehicle breakdown knows, the sight of an approaching repair/recovery patrol is a welcome relief on the road. In the UK, with millions of licensed vehicles on the road, breakdown services, also known as roadside recovery/assistance services, play a crucial role in the automotive landscape.

• The Automobile Association (AA) and the Royal Automobile Club (RAC): Renowned for their liveried fleet, these organizations operate with in-house employees and sell services directly to the public.
• Green Flag (part of the Direct Line Group): Distinguished for selling services both directly to the public and through business clients, utilizing a network of independent recovery operators.

Other notable names include National Breakdown and GEM Motoring Assist by the Guild of Experienced Motorists, all fiercely competitive, each claiming to offer superior service and value.

Breakdown service operatives respond to calls in diverse locations and times, experiencing peak activity times that can vary but often occur during the start and end of the workweek and in extreme weather conditions. Whether through their own fleets, partnership arrangements, or affinity organizations, providers aim to reach motorists as quickly as possible, with response times varying based on location and conditions.

Patrol officers frequently collaborate with emergency services and may handle hazardous loads. Safety is paramount, requiring both patrol officers and call centre staff to excel in interpersonal skills. In roadside repair and recovery, patrol officers are often the first on the scene, managing potentially frightened or angry customers. Consideration for traffic, weather, and location is crucial, with the primary focus being on ensuring customer safety, particularly in potentially hazardous motorway hard-shoulder call-outs. 

Transferable skills

Each sector of the Armed Forces boasts its own cadre of vehicle mechanics and engineering trades, featuring highly skilled and adaptable individuals trained to operate in challenging conditions. Within the breakdown industry, relevant trades that can be pursued by those in service include: 

• Vehicle Mechanics
• Vehicle Electricians
• Recovery Mechanics

Moreover, if you're a Service leaver, your driving qualifications, which may include LGV, ordinary wheeled vehicles, and motorcycle licenses, are likely to be welcomed by employers in the breakdown services sector. Depending on your role in the services, you may also possess qualifications for operating tracked, articulated, or passenger vehicles.

Note: Specific qualifications may vary, so it's advisable for transitioning service members to proactively verify how their military qualifications translate to civilian credentials with potential employers or licensing bodies.

Individuals transitioning from the armed forces to a career in breakdown services bring a wealth of transferable skills, including:

1. Mechanical Expertise: Armed forces personnel often possess hands-on experience with vehicle mechanics and advanced technologies, making them well-suited for roles such as vehicle mechanics and recovery mechanics in breakdown services.
   
   
2. Adaptability: Military service cultivates adaptability in diverse and challenging environments, a valuable trait for navigating the unpredictable nature of breakdown scenarios.
   
   
3. Problem-Solving Skills: Armed forces personnel are trained to analyze and solve complex problems efficiently, a critical skill when addressing vehicle issues on the spot.
   
   
4. Teamwork and Communication: Military experience emphasizes teamwork and effective communication, crucial for coordinating efforts in recovery operations and ensuring customer satisfaction.
   
   
5. Leadership Qualities: Many armed forces roles involve leadership responsibilities, translating well into supervisory positions within breakdown services or emergency response situations.
   
   
6. Stress Management: Military training equips individuals to handle high-pressure situations, a valuable asset when responding to distressed motorists in challenging conditions.
   
   
7. Technical Skills: Armed forces training often includes the use of advanced technologies and equipment. For those in relevant roles, this provides a strong foundation for utilizing diagnostic tools and technology in breakdown services.
   
   
8. Safety Awareness: Military personnel are trained to prioritize safety, a critical aspect in breakdown services, especially when dealing with potentially hazardous situations on the road.
   
   
9. Driving Qualifications: Service leavers often hold a variety of driving qualifications, such as LGV, ordinary wheeled vehicles, and motorcycle licenses, which are directly applicable in roles requiring driving expertise.

These transferable skills make armed forces veterans well-suited for a seamless transition into fulfilling careers within the breakdown services industry.

How do I get qualified to work in the breakdown services?

Courses aimed at individuals aspiring to work in the breakdown services typically cover the following areas:

• basic vehicle electrics
• battery technology, including hybrids and electrics
• charging systems
• starting systems
• electronic control units (ECUs)
• ignition systems
• fuel injection systems
• engine management
• advanced diagnostics.

For instance, AA roadside technicians (patrol) require an NVQ level 3 (or equivalent) in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, familiarity with a range of modern vehicle systems, and current garage experience. Comprehensive knowledge of vehicle electrical systems, including diagnostics and electronic controls, is essential. Technicians also need proficiency in using advanced diagnostic tools and software. A full valid driving license covering B or BE categories, with fewer than six points, is a prerequisite. The BE category must be acquired if not already held.

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) sets occupational standards for the motor industry and offers a range of accreditations and qualifications that now include training specific to electric and hybrid vehicles. City & Guilds' Automotive Maintenance and Repair NVQs at levels 1 and 3 validate skills required for maintaining and repairing modern vehicles. Advanced courses, such as the City & Guilds Certificate in Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Techniques at level 4, and accreditations from the IMI, enhance career prospects, especially for those specializing in roadside recovery and advanced vehicle technologies.

Professional institute membership

Qualifications, experience, and training make individuals eligible for membership in industry-specific institutions, enhancing the credibility of their CVs. The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) plays a crucial role in setting standards to ensure competence and recognition of qualifications across the industry.

Institutions and associations within the field play a key role in promoting high standards and professionalism in an industry that prioritizes these qualities. The IMI, as an example, is a professional body for individuals, focusing on personal membership to enhance professional development rather than regulating companies in the motor industry.

Major breakdown services organizations often prioritize continuation training, offering ongoing education and additional qualifications as important components of employment and promotion within their organizations. This commitment to skill development helps ensure that professionals remain current and proficient in their roles.

Use your ELC

Under the ELC scheme, a wide range of learning can be taken, provided it is offered by an approved provider listed on the ELCAS website and is at level 3 or above. For full details of how to make the most of your ELC, refer to the in-depth features elsewhere on the Quest website

Finding a job

When venturing into the breakdown services sector, key considerations include possessing good general fitness and a clean driving license, prerequisites for many roadside patrol roles. While specific qualifications and strong interpersonal skills are important for customer-facing positions, avenues exist for individuals to join organizations at varying levels of training and experience. Opportunities extend beyond traditional vehicle technician roles, encompassing administration, management, customer service, and other diverse fields within the industry.

Tailoring Careers to Personal Experience and Qualifications:

The length of training required for a career in breakdown services is often influenced by an individual's prior experience and qualifications. This aspect provides a unique opportunity for motivated Service leavers to bridge into this fulfilling career area. The flexibility of roles allows individuals to align their skills with various facets of the breakdown services sector, contributing to a rewarding and satisfactory professional journey.

Entrepreneurial Paths in Vehicle Inspection and Diagnostics:

For those seeking independence, some companies offer franchises in mobile vehicle inspection and diagnostics. These franchises cover a range of services, including pre-purchase or sale checks, servicing, emissions testing, and engine tuning. While a financial commitment is required, the investment can lead to lucrative self-employment, supported by training and guidance from the parent company. This entrepreneurial avenue allows individuals to leverage their skills within a well-established framework.

Diverse Career Trajectories and Industry Expansion:

The breakdown services sector boasts a wide array of job opportunities, spanning technical, administrative, and managerial roles, as well as positions for health and safety advisers. As the industry continues to grow, driven not only by the increasing number of vehicles but also by advancements in vehicle technology and new regulations, individuals can explore complementary sectors such as insurance, driving instruction, or windscreen repair/fitting. The dynamic nature of the field ensures that professionals with diverse skills and interests can find a fulfilling and evolving career path within the breakdown services industry.

BREAKDOWN SERVICES APPRENTICESHIPS
Both the AA and RAC offer apprenticeship programmes. Contact them direct (see ‘Useful info’) for full details. Alternatively, use your favourite search engine to discover more options. Or browse the government’s apprenticeship website or Find Apprenticeships, both of which allow you to search for apprenticeship opportunities by area of interest and location.