Hiring and Sponsoring Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians (SOC Code 5231)

Vehicle Technicians, classified under SOC Code 5231, are skilled professionals who play a crucial role in maintaining and repairing vehicles, ensuring their safety and functionality. With the automotive industry continually evolving, the demand for qualified vehicle technicians has risen, prompting many businesses to look for talent from abroad to fill these essential roles. This guide will assist HR professionals in understanding the hiring and sponsorship processes for vehicle technicians under the UK’s immigration system.

• Key Responsibilities:
  • Conduct visual checks and test drives to diagnose engine and mechanical faults.
  • Dismantle, repair, and replace defective parts while preparing new parts using appropriate tools.
  • Reassemble, test, adjust, and tune components, systems, or entire engines.
  • Perform routine maintenance checks on oil and air filters, brakes, and other vehicle systems.
  • Diagnose faults in electrical/electronic circuitry, removing faulty components and fitting replacements.
  • Assess the condition of electrical/electronic systems and execute necessary servicing tasks.
  • Install additional electrical amenities such as radio/CD players and aerials.
  • Repair and service air conditioning, heating, and engine-cooling systems.

As the automotive landscape changes, the expertise of vehicle technicians remains indispensable for keeping vehicles operational and safe, making it vital for employers to recognize and attract outstanding talent from around the world.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians?

SOC Code 5231 refers to vehicle technicians, mechanics, and electricians who specialize in the maintenance and repair of vehicles. Their responsibilities can include:

• Diagnosing vehicle issues: Conducting visual checks, test drives, or using test equipment to identify engine and mechanical faults.
• Repairing and replacing parts: Removing, dismantling, repairing, and replacing defective components, as well as preparing new parts using appropriate tools.
• Reassembling and tuning: Reassembling, testing, adjusting, and tuning engine components, systems, or entire engines to ensure optimal performance.
• Performing routine maintenance: Carrying out routine checks on oil and air filters, brakes, and other vital vehicle parts and systems.
• Electrical diagnostics: Diagnosing faults in electrical and electronic circuitry, removing faulty components and fitting replacements as necessary.
• Servicing electrical systems: Checking the condition of electrical and electronic systems and executing necessary servicing tasks.
• Installing amenities: Installing additional electrical amenities, such as radio/CD players and aerials, for enhanced vehicle functionality.
• Maintaining climate control systems: Repairing and servicing air conditioning, heating, and engine-cooling systems to ensure comfort and efficiency.

Vehicle technicians, mechanics, and electricians play a vital role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and functionality of vehicles, contributing to the transportation and automotive industries.

Eligibility to Hire Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Vehicle technicians, mechanics, and electricians must exhibit a strong understanding of automotive systems and possess specific qualifications or experience. These may include:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in diagnosing engine and mechanical faults using test equipment, visual inspections, and test drives.
• Repair Expertise: Ability to remove, dismantle, repair, and replace defective parts, as well as prepare and install new components using appropriate tools.
• Systems Knowledge: Experience with reassembling, testing, and adjusting mechanical parts and entire engines, as well as performing routine maintenance checks on essential vehicle systems such as oil, air filters, brakes, and more.
• Electrical/Electronic Proficiency: Skill in diagnosing faults in electrical and electronic circuitry, removing faulty components, and fitting replacements. Capability to check the condition of electrical systems and conduct servicing tasks.
• Installation Skills: Experience in installing additional electrical amenities such as radios and aerials, as well as repairing and servicing air conditioning, heating, and engine-cooling systems.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 5231 and that the technician’s experience and skills fulfill the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricians under SOC Code 5231.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricians, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricians under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricians. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricians can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians

Before the Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricians begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricianss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Vehicle technicians; mechanics and electricians

Sponsoring Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricians under SOC Code 5231 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricians, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Vehicle technicians; mechanics and  electricians under SOC Code 5231 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.