You could take a college course before applying for work as a trainee with a garage or breakdown company.

Relevant courses include:

• light vehicle maintenance and repair
• T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

You could specialise in hybrid and electrical vehicles by doing a course like:

• auto-electrical and mobile electrical operations
• electric/hybrid vehicle system repair and replacement

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

You can apply to do a Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician - Light Vehicle Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This can take 2 to 3 years. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time at a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You can apply directly to become a roadside assistance technician. You'll need experience and qualifications in motor vehicle maintenance and repair to do this.

You'll need:

• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• problem-solving skills
• the ability to repair machines or systems
• persistence and determination
• the ability to work well with others
• customer service skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• have a full driving licence

You may need an LGV licence if you're going to be working on heavy goods vehicles.

As a roadside assistance technician, you could:

• respond to breakdown calls from a control centre
• make sure the vehicle, driver and passengers are safe
• examine the vehicle to find and diagnose the fault
• carry out roadside repairs
• tow or transport the vehicle to a garage if major repair work is needed
• arrange transport for the driver of the broken down vehicle
• complete record sheets for each job

You could work at a garage, from a vehicle or on call-out to wherever the car owner is.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear protective clothing.