Windscreen Technician

Windscreen technicians replace and repair windscreens on a wide range of vehicles - from cars and vans, to heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses and trains. They are usually mobile, working on the roadside, outside people's homes, or based at a garage.

Typically the work involves:

• removing moulds and trims from around windows
• disconnecting any electrical components and removing damaged glass
• selecting the correct size of windscreen to be fitted to the vehicle
• replacing the glass according to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications
• refitting all the removed components.

Most windscreen technicians work standard full-time hours. However, some companies run an emergency call-out service that operates 24 hours a day, in which case shift work may be required. Mobile technicians spend their day on the road, driving from job to job. They may have to work outside in all weather conditions or in a garage workshop.

Salaries may range from £12,500 to £25,000 a year.

A windscreen technician should:

• have a good general knowledge of motor vehicles
• be able to follow written instructions
• be able to work off-site, without supervision
• communicate well with customers and members of their team
• be interested in practical or mechanical work.

With nearly 35 million vehicles on the road, there is a constant demand for well-trained, highly skilled windscreen technicians. It is estimated that there are between 3,000 and 5,500 employed in the UK.

Many windscreen technicians enter as school leavers and are employed by an employer as an apprentice. To do an Apprenticeship, it is useful to have some GCSEs (A*-E), particularly in English and maths, or equivalent vocational qualifications. It is possible to train after working in other areas of employment, provided applicants can cope with the physical demands of the job.

Training is usually provided by employers, and apprentices combine practical on-the-job training in the workplace with part-time attendance at college. Apprentices work towards NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in automotive glazing. Larger companies have their own dedicated training centres where technicians can work towards NVQ qualifications.

Experienced windscreen technicians may be promoted to a training or supervisory role. It is also possible to move into customer services or work up to management level.

Further details