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. Your unique experiences and skills from the military can find a meaningful home 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.
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 an estimated 40.8 million licensed vehicles, breakdown services, also known as roadside recovery/assistance services, play a crucial role in the automotive landscape.
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 on Monday mornings in winter and Friday evenings in summer. Whether through their own fleets, partnership arrangements, or affinity organizations, providers aim to reach motorists well within an hour of being called out, often averaging closer to 40 minutes.
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.
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:
Moreover, if you're a Service leaver, your arsenal of driving qualifications is likely to be welcomed by employers in the breakdown services sector. This encompasses LGV, ordinary wheeled vehicles, and motorcycle licenses, as well as a comprehensive array of tracked, articulated, or passenger licenses.
Note: The specific qualifications may vary, so it's advisable to check with the relevant authorities or employers for the most current requirements.
Individuals transitioning from the armed forces to a career in breakdown services bring a wealth of transferable skills, including:
These transferable skills make armed forces veterans well-suited for a seamless transition into fulfilling careers within the breakdown services industry.
Courses aimed at individuals aspiring to work in the breakdown services typically cover the following areas:
For instance, AA roadside technicians (patrol) require an NVQ level 3 (or equivalent) in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, familiarity with modern vehicle systems, and current garage experience. A strong knowledge of electrical, fuel, and ignition systems is essential, along with computer operation skills, as AA breakdown teams utilize roadside laptops for technical information, guidance, and work allocation. A full valid driving license covering B or BE categories, with fewer than six points, is a prerequisite. If the BE category is not yet acquired, it needs to be completed first.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) sets occupational standards for the motor industry, providing accreditation, qualifications, and training. City & Guilds' Automotive Maintenance and Repair (4101) NVQs at levels 1 and 3 validate skills required for maintaining and repairing vehicles. These qualifications offer a progression from entry-level repair jobs to supervisory roles, including specialization in roadside recovery. Advanced options, such as the City & Guilds Certificate in Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Techniques (4121) at level 4, and accreditations from the IMI, enhance career prospects for those with experience in the field.
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 self-regulate, maintaining high standards in an industry that prioritizes professionalism. The IMI, as an example, is a professional body for individuals, focusing on personal membership rather than affiliating with companies in the motor industry.
Major breakdown services organizations prioritize continuation training, providing ongoing education and additional qualifications as integral components of employment and promotion within their respective organizations. This commitment to skill development ensures that professionals remain current and proficient in their roles.
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
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 qualifications are typically essential 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, 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, especially considering potential shortages in patrol officers. 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 serious financial commitment is required, it can be a lucrative form of self-employment, supported by training and guidance from the parent company. This entrepreneurial avenue allows individuals to leverage their skills while operating 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 with the increasing number of vehicles on the roads, 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.
In addition to roadside repair and recovery, the major firms run other services, too, which include:
To support these services, staff are required in the following areas:
Call centre staff:
If you are thinking of working in this industry, the following skills and aptitudes are likely to be beneficial:
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.
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After 12 years of distinguished service, Dave Kime embarked on a new path, leveraging his skills and experiences to establish a rewarding career in the civilian world.
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