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Whether you're trying to find a Fitter, HGV Mechanic, or Sales Exec, if you're looking for staff to join your Automotive team, then we can find them. We've built our reputation on providing the highest levels of service to our clients across Scotland - and with roots going back to the 1960s, we excel at it. Speak to one of our Consultants today, and experience what a professional edge can do for your recruitment process.
New Life Centre, 10-18 Hope Street, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, ML3 6AF
+ 5 other offices
Reed are here to help you take your next step in the world of work, whatever it is. From recruiting talented individuals across 20 sectors for a permanent, temporary, or interim role; to recruiting at scale, and screening, your local recruiter have a solution that will ensure your business thrives. Alternatively, if you're looking to take the next step in your career, or break into a completely new sector, our experts can help.
Ground Floor, 201 West George Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, G2 2LW
+ 62 other offices
A1 Jobs cover a wide range of industries including Accounting & Finance, Administration, Construction, Customer Service, Engineering, IT, Manufacturing, and so much more. They recruit for roles such as Traffic Management Operative, HIAB Driver, Warehouse Assistant, Customer Service Advisor, Plumber, and Recruitment Consultant, whether for part-time, permanent, temporary, or contract vacancies. They have offices in Glasgow, London, and Birmingham.
First Floor 94 Hope Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, G2 6PH
+ 3 other offices
Pay in Strathclyde reflects a busy dealer and aftermarket scene, with vehicle technicians often on £28,000 to £38,000, rising to £40,000 to £48,000 for master techs or senior diagnostics roles. MOT testers tend to earn around £30,000 to £36,000, with overtime or bonus adding headroom in larger Glasgow and Paisley workshops. Service advisors land between £24,000 and £30,000 basic, with realistic OTE on top; parts advisors usually earn between £22,000 to £28,000; and HGV technicians can command £36,000 to £45,000, given shift work and unsociable hours. Temp agencies in the motor trade quote hourly bands near £15 to £22 for light vehicle techs, £18 to £25 for HGV techs, and £12 to £16 for service desk cover. Recruitment agencies working on permanent placements tend to set recruitment fees at 15% to 22% of the basic salary, with executive search for dealer principals or after-sales leaders pushing higher. For contract work, expect day rates to move with scarcity and travel, and remember to budget for agency costs, PPE, and tooling where required.
Most workshop hires will look for IMI or SVQ Level 3 in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, strong diagnostics skills, and a full driving licence. MOT testers need DVSA status in the relevant class and an up-to-date annual assessment. EV and hybrid work is now common in the Clyde corridor, so IMI Level 2 or Level 3 in electric vehicle system repair helps candidates stand out and helps businesses cover high-voltage jobs safely. Bodyshop teams value ATA Accreditation and knowledge of BS 10125 process controls, with paint and panel specialists expected to show recent calibration or welding tickets. Sales and F&I roles often require clean records and FCA-aware conduct, while dealer management positions favour leadership training and manufacturer academy routes.
Glasgow, Renfrewshire, and East Kilbride see strong demand near Hillington Park, Inchinnan, and the M8 corridor. Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire bring steady aftermarket needs linked to commuter towns like Greenock and Clydebank. Ayrshire garages pull from Kilmarnock and Ayr, with the A77 and M77 offering workable commutes for temps and contractors. Rural Argyll sites can be harder to staff at short notice, so recruitment consultants often widen their search radius and factor in accommodation or travel allowances.
Local employers report a squeeze on experienced diagnostics techs and MOT testers, with retention pressure rising when pay rates rise across neighbouring dealer groups. Night-shift HGV coverage and windshield and ADAS calibration skills are frequent gaps. Staffing agencies help by pre-screening for right-to-work status, tool lists, and driving endorsements, then booking start dates around workshop loading so downtime stays low. For front-of-house roles, strong DMS knowledge and calm phone manners matter more than product fandom, so recruiters test them early to save interview time.
Automotive recruitment agencies in Strathclyde place people across service, parts, sales, and leadership. Typical routes include apprentice to qualified technician to master tech or workshop controller, parts advisor to parts manager, and service advisor to senior service advisor to service manager. Sales executives can move into business manager and then sales manager roles, with dealer principal roles emerging through multi-site exposure. For bodyshops, a smart path runs from trainee to panel or paint tech, then estimator, then bodyshop manager.
Local businesses use temps to cover holidays, sickness, and seasonal peaks, with weekend MOT demand and new plate months driving short bursts. Permanent hires support retention and brand training goals, while contract work addresses project-based needs such as bodyshop backlogs or fleet preparation. Candidates and job seekers can register with an agency to receive alerts and quick shifts, and employers can choose temp-to-perm if they want to try a fit before committing.
Dealer groups cluster near motorway links and retail parks in Glasgow and Paisley; independents and fast-fit chains spread along commuter routes into Lanarkshire and Ayrshire; and HGV and PSV employers sit near depots and logistics hubs. This mix keeps the labour market active, with recruitment agencies balancing dealership standards with the pace of smaller garages. Employment firms with executive search capabilities help fill after-sales lead, used-car buyer, and multi-site management posts when confidentiality is required.
Right-to-work checks, driving licence validation, and reference checks are standard, and workshops expect H&S awareness and clean housekeeping. MOT roles need DVSA documentation and annual CPD, and road tests require insurance eligibility. For HGV, Driver CPC and tacho awareness are core. Recruiters brief candidates on workshop safety, EV lockout, and dealer site rules so starts go smoothly and retention holds.
Commuter patterns into the city can stretch early and late shifts, so flexible start times help widen the candidate pool. Parking near city centre sites can be tight, so staff travel plans matter for attendance. Rural coverage in Argyll and Bute often needs relocation support or four-day patterns to attract experienced hands. Recruitment agencies with local temp agencies backing can move faster on short-notice call-outs when the weather or sickness bites.
Salaries have nudged up for diagnostic work and EV capability, and agency costs track that trend. The workforce skews experienced in city hubs, with apprenticeships more visible near colleges, and retention improves where tool insurance and training are part of the package. Executive search is active for general managers who can improve CSI, and used-car turns, and staffing agencies report steady parts and service desk demand through winter.
How fast can I hire a technician in Strathclyde?
Same-week starts can happen for temps, with permanent offers often landing within 3 to 4 weeks, depending on notice periods.
**What are common recruitment fees for permanent hires?
Most employers see 15% to 22% of basic pay, with rebates linked to the first weeks of service.
Do agencies cover the Clyde islands and rural Argyll?
Many do, and they plan travel, ferries, or overnight stays into the booking, so shifts run on time.
What licences help HGV technicians get hired faster?
Category C or C+E, a clean licence, and solid tacho and air-brake knowledge tend to put CVs at the top of the pile.
Can job seekers register once for temp, contract, and permanent roles?
Yes, candidates can register with an agency, set preferences, and pick shifts or interviews that fit.