EXPLORE THE BENEFITS
If you've always worked in permanent roles, it can take a real shift in mindset to adapt to the idea of contracting. That said, there are some great advantages of freelancing to consider that may help you decide if it's right for you.
What is contract work?
Contract work is a bespoke arrangement between a business and a working professional, such as freelance vehicle technicians, that are hired for specific roles or a limited time frame for a set fee. It's like setting out on a journey where you're the one in the driver's seat, steering you down the paths that interest you most and putting you in control of your destination. The contract work ends after the job is complete, unless you're hired for an additional period or for another job by the same business.
At the heart of contracting work is the freedom to choose. You decide which work to take on, which workshops to bring your expertise to, and which days you'll set aside for work. It's about matching your skills with the needs of the moment, without the long-term ties of traditional employment.
What does contracting work in the UK involve?
Independent contractors or freelancers in the UK are essentially self-employed professionals who operate under their own limited company or work through recruitment agencies. They are not considered employees of the company they are contracted to; instead, they provide services as a separate entity. This allows for greater autonomy and often results in contractors being paid higher salaries due to the specialised skills they offer and the flexibility they provide to businesses.
However, contracting workers are responsible for their own taxes and National Insurance contributions, and they do not receive the same benefits as permanent employees, such as paid leave or pension contributions. But they often benefit from higher take-home pay to compensate for this lack of additional benefits. It's also essential for contractors to understand whether they fall inside or outside IR35 to ensure they are working compliantly. You can find more information here.
THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS
THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS
HIGHER PAY RATES
Take home up to £800 per week. We guarantee at least 8 hours work per day and weekly pay.
METHOD OF PAY
We give you an option to choose the way you work for us, as most of our contracts fall outside IR35. You can be paid via an umbrella company, via your own limited business or as a sole trader. Speak to us for more information.
CONSISTENCY OF WORK
Our team will do their absolute best to provide you with consistent work on the days you want to work. It is unlikely that there will be no work offered. It all depends on if you can travel, what type of work you're happy to do, and the pay rates.
REFER A FRIEND SCHEME
Our referral scheme allows you to earn £250 extra each time you successfully refer another great vehicle technician or MOT tester to us.
TYPE OF WORK
We will only contract you to perform lighter duties such as servicing vehicles, MOT repair work, and PDIs. You will not be asked or expected to do heavier technician work such as clutches and gearboxes etc.
THE 'EXTRA' BENEFITS
BE YOUR OWN BOSS
You work for yourself but with the support of our friendly and dedicated office team who are here to make sure you make the most of your skills.
FLEXIBILITY
Have the flexibility to choose the days you work and accept only the contracts you fancy.
VARIETY
Have a chance to work in a variety of businesses. You won't be getting caught up in office politics and if you don't like it somewhere, we will move you on to another contract.
EASE OF WORK
We give you access to our online Contractor Portal, which allows you to easily manage your contracting assignments.
SUPPORT
Contracting with Autotech Recruit, you are never on your own. You can count on support from a friendly network of fellow contractors and the ex-trade experience of Autotech consultants.
EXPERIENCE
By contracting with us you will get invaluable experience by working in different environments on different automotive brands.
THE TRAINING BENEFITS
FREE EV TRAINING
Our loyal contractors are offered free Level 2 (or above) Electric/Hybrid Vehicle training at our dedicated training suite in Milton Keynes to ensure they're ready to meet the industry demand for EV-trained technicians.
DISCOUNTED TRAINING
Our contractors can access discounts to our in-house Autotech Training courses. If you are an MOT tester, we offer an early-bird discount for your IMI MOT annual training and assessment which is exclusively available to our contractors.
MANUFACTURER TRAINING
Through our partnership with car manufacturers, including Volvo, BMW, Toyota, Ford, and more, our contract vehicle technicians have an opportunity to get trained to manufacturer standard and work at franchised dealerships.
Ongoing Help & Support
We support our contract vehicle technicians and MOT testers not just with work opportunities but also guidance and support from our dedicated contractor team. If you have any queries or questions regarding contract work, please don't hesitate to contact us on contractorcare@autotechrecruit.co.uk or call 01234 603 016 and ask for Faye.