Windscreen technician

A windscreen technician is responsible for repairing or replacing windscreens on a range of vehicles including cars, trucks and trains. A technician will typically work either at the roadside or in a garage, fixing damaged windscreens or replacing them entirely.

What do you need to have studied?

Many windscreen technicians are taken on as apprentices straight from school, so A-levels or a degree are not necessary. It is beneficial to have GCSEs however – particularly in English and maths – or vocational qualifications to a similar standard. If the company you are applying to offers a call-out service to vehicles at the roadside, a driving licence is necessary.

How do you get a job?

Jobs are usually advertised in newspapers or motoring magazines, or on the internet. If your application is successful you can usually expect to receive training from the company that employs you. You will need to demonstrate that you can learn the theory needed to become a windscreen technician and cope with the physical demands of the job.

Is there an interview process?

There is usually an interview process for this position, but any assessment needed will usually take place on one day. You may be asked to give a brief presentation or complete a psychometric evaluation as part of the interview process.

What are the opportunities for career progression?

With nearly 35 million cars on the road, skilled auto mechanics are in demand. If you work hard and prove that you can operate without supervision, you may gain promotion into a training role mentoring new apprentices, or possibly into management.

What’s the salary?

As a trainee you may start out on a salary of around £12,500, increasing to £25,000 with experience and further training, though this will depend on the region you work in and the company that employs you.

What benefits are there?

Benefits may include use of your own van, with an allowance for petrol if your work involves being called out to service vehicles. Technicians who work in this way also have a certain amount of freedom, as they work by themselves and are largely responsible for ensuring the jobs they do are of a good standard.

What challenges are there?

A lot of the work is done alone, so you will need to be self-motivated, hard working and reliable. You will be responsible for choosing the correct glass for the make and model of the vehicle you are working on, some of which may be difficult to obtain. The weather will also be a factor as you may find yourself working outside a great deal, and you might be asked to work unsociable hours if you are at a company that offers roadside repairs.