Car Valet
What is the work like?
Car valets clean the inside and outside of motor vehicles.
As a valet, your work would involve:
- using high-pressure hoses to clean vehicles
- cleaning windows, wheels, door handles and mirrors
- vacuuming and shampooing upholstery and carpets
- waxing and polishing surfaces
- applying gels and other finishes to bumpers and trims
- painting rubber dressing on the side walls of tyres
- steam cleaning the engine, frame and wheel arches
- collecting and delivering vehicles.
You could be based in one place or work from a mobile unit, containing water, generator, power washer and wet/dry vacuum.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will not need any qualifications to work as a car valet, but it may be an advantage if you have some experience in the motor trade, industrial or office cleaning, or dry cleaning work.
You will need a full driving licence for most jobs, so you will need to be over the age of 17.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you start work you will learn cleaning techniques and health and safety procedures on the job. Your employer might also send you on day courses run by the manufacturers of cleaning chemicals.
If you are working as a mobile valet, you will go out with trained valets until you are ready to work on your own – usually after three to six months.
You could enter the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) Car Valeting Certificate Scheme. Visit the BICS website for details.
If you work in a garage you might be able to work towards the following qualifications:
- NVQ Level 2 in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (which has a vehicle valeting option)
- NVQ Level 2 in Cleaning and Support Services (which has an optional Passenger Transport unit).
Where can I go for more information?
FanshawsBrickendon
Hertford
SG13 8PQ
Tel: 01992 511521
Boarden Close
Moulton Park
Northampton
NN3 6LF
Tel: 01604 678710
48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Income for car valets ranges from around £11,000 to £13,500 a year.
Overtime and shift payments can increase earnings.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours are likely to include weekend and seasonal work. Part-time work and overtime may be available.
Your job could be indoors or outdoors at garages, workshops or on customers' premises. With a mobile valeting service, you would travel from job to job.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a methodical approach
- attention to detail
- an understanding of safety procedures and manufacturers' instructions and warnings
- the ability to work on your own without supervision, or as a member of a small team
- excellent customer service skills.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most jobs with car dealerships or garages, where valets prepare new and used cars for sale.
You might also find work with:
- independent valeting companies (although these usually only employ a few staff)
- car rental firms
- mobile valeting firms (often franchises), which valet vehicles for private customers, and work under contract to dealerships or garages.
You could become self-employed, working for private or commercial users or for car dealerships.
With experience, you may be able to progress to supervisor, or to area manager in bigger firms which offer services to different garages.
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