Social, Economic, and Policy Challenges in the UK Mechanic Industry and Strategies for Success

The Mechanics of Change: Social, Economic, and Policy Challenges in the UK Mechanic Industry and Strategies for Success.
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January 7, 2023
The Mechanics of Change: Social, Economic, and Policy Challenges in the UK Mechanic Industry and Strategies for Success.
Testimony:
My name is ____, and I'm a mechanic. I grew up in a small town in the North of _____ and I've been working on cars since I was a teenager. I've always had a passion for cars, and I knew from an early age that I wanted to make a career out of it. I started as an apprentice at a local garage when I was sixteen in the suburbs of _____. I didn't know much then, but I was eager to learn and was given a lot of support and encouragement from the other mechanics. I worked hard, and eventually, I was able to become a fully qualified mechanic. I have been doing this job for several years now and have seen many changes in the industry and how people view my position.
I'm not just a mechanic; I'm also a mother, a wife, and a friend. I take pride in my job and do my best to provide for my family. I'm always looking to improve my skills to provide better customer service. I take satisfaction in knowing that I'm making a difference in people's lives by helping them with their car issues. My family is my priority, and I strive to be a good role model for them. Being a mechanic is more than just a job to me; it's a passion and a way to help others. I'm grateful for the opportunities that I have, and I'm thankful that I can make a meaningful contribution to society.
I studied at a local college in the North of ______ and qualified as a mechanic. I then migrated to England in search of greener pastures. When I arrived in England, I was required to obtain additional certifications to practice, which was time-consuming and expensive. However, after receiving the credentials, I was lucky enough to get a job at a local garage. I've been there ever since. The position is temporary, and I'm always anxious about my job security situation. Most of my customers are locals who come to me for repairs and maintenance of their cars. I have to be able to diagnose and solve various problems ranging from engine issues to electrical problems. It is challenging.
I start my day at 7 am, and my shift usually finishes at 7 pm. I'm usually busy with customers and consistently trying to solve their car problems. I'm often under pressure to fix things quickly, but I always try to do a good job. The work can be challenging and the hours long. I have seen people from all walks of life who need help with their cars. I take great pride in being able to provide that service for them. I usually get a lot of satisfaction when I've fixed something that I know was a challenge. I typically take a break for lunch in the middle of the day. I get paid an hourly rate depending on the job and its complexity. The money could be better, especially during these challenging economic times, and I'm often unable to save any money. This makes it hard to plan for the future. In addition, our male counterparts earn relatively more than us. I understand that I'm an essential part of the economy, but I only sometimes feel valued.
Being a mechanic can be challenging. I often find myself working late into the night and on weekends. It can be stressful, and I'm not getting enough credit for my work. I'm often treated with suspicion by customers, and that's because people don't understand the value of what I do. I also have to deal with the attitudes of some of my customers. Many of them try to bargain with me, and some even try to get away with not paying for the work I have done. It is discouraging, and I often feel like I'm being taken advantage of. I often get mistreated by customers who think they know more than me. It can be pretty disheartening and discouraging. At first, I loved the job. I could use my hands and mind to make a difference in people's lives. But as time passed, I started noticing changes in the industry. Work has become harder to find, and the pay has become less and less. It feels like I'm just spinning my wheels and starting to get frustrated. Many of my colleagues are in the same situation, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet.
In my profession, I have to work in uncomfortable positions for extended periods. This can lead to physical aches, pains, and potential long-term health issues. I'm often exposed to various hazardous materials such as oil, gasoline, coolants, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and various solvents, all of which can have long-term health implications if not handled correctly. Skin contact with these materials can lead to irritation and chemical burns, while inhalation of vapors and fumes can cause headaches, dizziness, and respiratory problems. Additionally, long-term exposure to these materials can increase the risk of developing cancer and other serious illnesses. Working with mechanical equipment can be dangerous, as it can result in a range of injuries, both minor and severe. These injuries can range from cuts, scrapes, and burns to fractures, strains, sprains, and even amputations. In addition, I may also suffer from electric shock, eye damage, and hearing loss due to exposure to loud noise. My employer does not provide me with health insurance coverage, and I have not been able to obtain individual health insurance coverage since my pay is very little.
With the move towards electric cars, the demand for mechanics has decreased significantly. This has resulted in fewer jobs and lower wages. I have also seen a move away from the traditional apprenticeship model, with more employers now preferring to hire graduates with degrees in automotive engineering. This has made the job market even more competitive, and I have to update my skills to stay ahead of the competition constantly, but I currently do not have the money to go for more certifications. Overall, work and employment in the UK are very precarious. We all face a lot of insecurity and uncertainty, and it is hard to make long-term plans or feel secure in our jobs (the risk of getting retrenched is imminent). This is compounded by a lack of access to quality training; hence, I need more skills to work effectively and efficiently.
The journey in this industry has been difficult, and I have had to work hard to stay motivated. The competition in this industry is high, and technology is constantly changing, making it challenging to keep up. Additionally, the salary is small, quality parts are often hard to come by, and the cost of mechanical parts is rising. Furthermore, there are safety hazards to consider, environmental regulations to adhere to, and limited training access. Lack of training and mentorship within the industry has led to a lack of knowledge about new technologies, which has led to a lack of job satisfaction and career progression. All of these factors can make it challenging to stay motivated, even for the most dedicated individuals.
Analysis:
The challenges mechanics face reflects the current state of work and employment in the UK. As Cruddas (2021) argues in Dignity of Labor, the 'casualization of employment' has significantly impacted working conditions, with job security and job stability becoming increasingly precarious for many. This lack of job security (as witnessed in the case of Joyce), combined with a lack of recognition and respect for their work, means that mechanics are faced with a range of challenges, from finding more secure and stable employment to dealing with low wages and limited bargaining power (Cruddas, 2021). Additionally, automation and digitalization are changing the nature of work, with many people being displaced from their traditional roles (Comparison of automation and digitalization concepts in the industry, 2020). This poses new challenges for mechanics, who must embrace new technologies and adapt to their changing environment. There ought to be training and mentorship within the industry to instill knowledge and experience in mechanics, which can lead to job satisfaction and career progression.
The challenge of continuity of work for mechanics is a symptom of a broader phenomenon of precarity and insecurity in the labor market. This is connected to a 'regime of precarisation' (Bosmans, 2022), characterized by the proliferation of temporary, part-time, and non-standard forms of work and a decrease in the availability of permanent, full-time, and secure forms of work jobs. This has profoundly impacted mechanics' everyday working lives, as they cannot rely on their current situation and must instead contend with the uncertainty of finding new work in the short term. This is part of a broader trend of 'precarisation of labor and of life'(Gunn et al., 2021), which has been occurring since the 1980s due to the liberalization of the labor market and the weakening of labor protections. This has been detrimental to the dignity of workers, as they are constantly faced with the insecurity of not knowing where their next job will come from (as evident in the case of Joyce) and the potential for exploitation by employers. Improve job security. The UK government Should introduce legislation to ensure that mechanics are given more job security, such as by introducing minimum-term contracts or better notice periods for job termination.
The challenges mechanics face in terms of wages, and unequal pay reflects broader issues of inequality in the labor market. From Joyce's testimony, there is evidence that female mechanics are earning less than their male counterparts. The gender pay gap is still a significant issue, with women in the UK earning, on average, 18% less than men (Didham, 2015). This gap is even more pronounced in the motor industry, where women are paid around 36% less than their male counterparts. This reflects a broader inequality in the labor market, where people from specific backgrounds are more likely to be excluded and face unequal pay due to discrimination. Several factors can contribute to this pay gap, including gender bias and discrimination in the workplace, lack of access to equal opportunities and resources, and lack of support for women in the industry. In addition, women may need more recognition and respect from their male colleagues. Studies have shown that women are more likely to be hired into lower-paid positions, such as technicians and assistants than their male counterparts. Additionally, women may face a greater risk of losing their...