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‘Temp teching’ is rapidly growing within the automotive industry, however many vehicle technicians will initially voice the obvious questions when becoming a temporary contractor, from concern over when the next position will come in, to the possibility of not receiving a regular income. So, to squash these qualms, we spoke to Pete and Matt, who are both temporary vehicle technicians with Autotech Recruit, to see what beinga freelancer in the motor trade is really like.
Matt, from East Sussex, joined Autotech Recruit in 2017 after working as a roadside technician for 11 years. On looking for his next role, he explained: “I enjoyed being out and about and not tied to one workshop.” Apart from a couple of short-term positions, which have taken him further afield across the UK, the majority of Matt’s work placements have been close to home, within a 30 to 40-mile radius. For Matt, who lives with his partner, teenage daughter and greyhound dog this has provided him with a new career direction, without venturing too far afield:“I have spent a couple of months at a time in local garages, which has been great.”
Swansea based Pete took the freelance route three years ago in a bid to increase his earning potential and achieve a better work-life balance. “I was initially daunted by the prospect,” explains Pete, “however, after becoming disillusioned as a permanent worker, I wanted to escape the garage politics and take my career in a new direction, and I haven’t looked back. I am always in work, and I am rarely in the same place twice.”
While Pete concedes that there are plenty of work opportunities through Autotech Recruit close to home, he enjoys the variety and working in different areas of the country so frequently takes to his converted campervan and spends a few weeks at a time in a garage. “There is a lot of respect for temp techs these days and working through Autotech Recruit means I turn up at the job and the management is fully aware of what I can and can’t complete for them and it makes life so much easier… I am ready to hit the ground running!
“The beauty of being a ‘temp tech’ means I can easily take the odd week or day off and I have a better work-life balance as a result. As my earning potential is so much higher, I have more opportunity to treat and spend time with my loved ones.”
On the challenges of upskilling, Matt and Pete utilise Autotech Recruit’s dedicated training division and both have embarked upon the company’s Manufacturer Led Recruitment Programme. Through this they have received intensive training from leading car manufacturers, such as Ford, enabling them to work throughout the manufacturer’s dealership garages.
“Being a temporary vehicle technician has opened up new doors to me,” concludes Matt. “If the work with a particular garage wound up, I know I could find other work through Autotech Recruit, and embark upon alternative training to enhance my employability.”
If you would like to find out more about becoming a freelance vehicle technician or MOT tester with Autotech Recruit, get in touch with our resourcing team and if you meet our requirements, we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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