Windscreen fitter

Windscreen repairer

Windscreen fitters repair and replace damaged glass on vehicles like cars, lorries and buses.

Salary range: £16,000 to £24,000

How to become a windscreen fitter

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could do a college course like a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an automotive glazing technician advanced apprenticeship.

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

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Direct application

There are no set entry requirements when applying directly for vacancies, but experience in the motor trade as a mechanic or body repairer would be helpful.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in the car industry from Autocity.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and requirements

You’ll usually need a driving licence.

You may be given a company car or van if you’re directly employed. You’ll need your own vehicle if you work for yourself.

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• assessing damage to glass
• advising customers about repair options
• repairing small chips in glass with resin
• disconnecting electrical parts like window controls on larger jobs
• removing trims from around windows
• removing and replacing damaged glass
• recording work details for each job

Working environment

You could work in a fast-fit centre, at a car dealership, at a client’s business, at a client’s home or on call-out to wherever the car owner is.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and involve using chemicals.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

With more training you could become a vehicle mechanic, breakdown engineer or workshop supervisor.

You could also start your own windscreen repair company.