Car Detailer - Career Advice - Transport and Travel

Car Park Attendant
Car Wash Attendant

Car Detailers specialise in the repair and maintenance of interior and exterior car details. They clean, paint, polish and update vehicles for owners or sales companies. Future Growth Static A vehicle detailer undertakes the tasks of a car wash attendant and also cleans engines and underbodies, treating them with rust-proofing chemicals. They also repair minor surface rust stains and make minor repairs to scratched or chipped paintwork. A vehicle detailer rejuvenates dull paintwork on older vehicles. Opportunities are also available for self-employment.

ANZSCO ID: 8111

Alternative names: Vehicle Detailer, Motor Vehicle Detailer

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Hand-Eye Coordination
Operating Skills
Organisational Skills
Problem Solving Capabilities
Time Management

Car Detailer polishing
(Source: Wash My Car Detailing)

Duties and tasks

Assist customers with desired vehicle needs and inform customers on
maintaining vehicle appearance
Clean all sides of car or other vehicle windows offer additional polishing services
Clean exterior of motor vehicles and provide waxing and polishing services
Dry-clean, dust and vacuum interior of cars and use a variety of cleaning supplies to restore damaged or stained areas
Touch up minor paint discolouration or scratches on exterior of vehicle
Wash and polish wheel rims and tyres

Working conditions

Car Detailers usually work outdoors in car shops or workshops. They typically work rotating schedules including some evenings and weekends for customers to bring in their vehicles. This job requires manual labour and strong attention to detail.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a car wash attendant without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. You can also become a car wash attendant through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Did You Know?

Main Activities

The Primary activities of this industry are:

Automotive and trailer washing
Mobile car washes
Automotive and trailer detailing (cleaning, polishing and waxing)
In-bay automatic car washes
Self-service car washes
Conveyor tunnel car washes

Industry Jargon

CONVEYOR TUNNEL WASH
Tunnel washes use a conveyor to move the vehicle through a series of fixed cleaning mechanisms.

DETAILING
The cleaning, polishing and waxing of the outside and inside of a motor vehicle. It can also include rejuvenating the vehicle's surfaces.

Car Detailer working

IN-BAY AUTOMATIC CAR WASH
A type of car wash where the vehicle remains stationary while an automatic machine cleans it.

In Bay Wash

(Source: IBIS World Australia)

Your car is a big investment, so keeping it in tip-top condition is something worth doing. And when it comes to keeping it clean and pristine, it’s all in the details.

Things to look for in a good car detailer

•Experience. If a detailer’s been around a while, chances are they know their stuff. Make sure to pick one who’s up to date on the ins and outs of the business.

•Punctuality. No one likes unexpected delays, especially when waiting to get something important back. A good car detailer won’t keep you stranded that extra half day, your sparkling clean car will be back when to you when they said it would.

•Attention to Detail. Detail is in the name: a good detailer won’t just give your vehicle a once-over, they’ll carefully revitalise every nook, cranny, surface, and section inside and out!

•Passion. You need someone who takes pride in their work: a real car lover who wants to see their face reflected in your polished hubs, a perfectionist who’ll see to every spec on the windscreen.

•Friendly Service. You want to see a smiling face when you hand over the keys, the best car detailers always keep customer service in mind and strive to make your experience as enjoyable as possible.

•Fair Price. While an impeccable car detailing job costs more than a trip to the drive-through, it also shouldn’t break the bank – a good detailer sets reasonable prices that work with your budget.
(Source: RiotACT)

Car park attendants monitor the use and security of car parking facilities. They may collect fees, operate boom gates, direct users to available spaces and/or check parked vehicles for valid tickets. Future Growth Static Many car parks use automated machines for these tasks. Here car park attendants may be responsible for carrying out minor maintenance on the machines, including loading tickets and collecting money.

They may also be responsible for cleaning up spills and broken glass which may damage cars or cause injury to drivers’ vehicles. Some car parks may offer a cleaning service, in which case car park attendants will wash cars and vacuum the interior. They may be required to drive vehicles short distances within the facility.

ANZSCO ID & Description: 899912: Operates and maintains a car parking facility by guarding cars in parking areas and collecting fees at car park entry or exit points. May drive and park cars, and operate boom gates.

Alternative names: Parking Attendant

Specialisations: Valet - Collect and deliver vehicles

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A car park attendant needs:

good interpersonal skills
to be reliable and trustworthy
a reasonable level of physical fitness
to be confident about handling money.

Car Park Attendant
(Source: Care Park)

Duties and Tasks

Answer customers' enquiries.
Accepts money and give change.
Issues the correct tickets.
Direct drivers to a parking space.
Checks to make sure all vehicles have a parking ticket.
Keeps an eye on the cars and the parking area.
Makes security checks on vehicles.
Collects rubbish and keep the area clean.
Does the banking and keep reports of tickets issued.
Carries out parking warden duties - patrol areas to identify illegally parked vehicles and issue infringement notices

Working conditions

Car park attendants usually work in a small booth or office, although they may also carry out regular patrols through a car park. Some car park attendants may work outside in most weather conditions, while others work in undercover or underground facilities, though these may still be exposed to the elements. Car park attendants may be required to do shift work, which can include working early mornings, nights, weekends and public holidays. Most of the car park attendants employed in Australia work in the metropolitan regions.

Special Events - Car Park Attendants
(Source: ACE Security)

Tools and technologies

Car park attendants may use cash registers, ticket punches and/or computers, though this will vary between individual car parks. Many facilities are automated, and car park attendants will need to be familiar with the technology used so that they are able to carry out minor maintenance and provide assistance to customers. In some cases they may use car cleaning and detailing equipment, including soap, wax, polish and vacuum cleaners. Most car park attendants are required to wear a uniform, which may include high-visibility clothing.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a car park attendant without any formal qualifications and get training on the job. You may improve your job prospects by holding a valid driver’s licence and/or a National Police Certificate.

Valet Services: Know the Risks

Hotel Executive - published 13 September 2020

(Source: Hotel Executive)

When pulling up to a hotel for your visit, nothing beats leaving the car with the valet. You've not only avoided a few rounds in the parking garage searching for a spot, you've also had your arms freed from your luggage as the bellhop likely removed your bags from the car to take up to your room. And when the hotel valet picks you up at the airport, it's pretty nice to sit back and relax for the ride as someone else navigates and worries about traffic.

While valet services are an offering enjoyed by guests of a hotel's rooms, spas or restaurants, these services can also pose potential liabilities to the hotel. In order for a hotel valet program to run safely, procedures for safety education, vehicle inspections, and incident reporting should be in place. By knowing how to handle a vehicle safely and how to report incidents, hotel staff can potentially mitigate the risk exposures valet services can pose – from vehicle damage to turning the keys over to intoxicated vehicle owners.

Further, in the wake of COVID-19, hotel owners and operators have even more to consider in terms of safety and training. Hoteliers should be sure to train staff and implement safety protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of their efforts to provide a safe environment for staff and guests.

Valet Service in a Pandemic

As hotels and resorts begin to re-open in a post-lockdown world, many are choosing to suspend bringing back their valet service as COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to the population. As most valet services require the guest and valet to be in the same vehicles within just minutes of each other, or perhaps at the same time, this practice has obviously caused pause for hotel employers and staff, as well as guests. As a result, many locations are gauging their guests' comfort level before bringing back the service, and taking this time to enhance their offerings and train their employees in both existing and new policies and procedures.

For properties that are offering valet service, the California Hotel & Lodging Association recommends that valet drivers wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. Further, the American Hotel & Lodging Association recommends that van and shuttle services be limited and if offered, all contact points be regularly disinfected.
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Car wash attendants wash, scrub and polish the exteriors of vehicles.They may also vacuum seats and carpets and clean door trims and hinges in the interior of vehicles. Car wash attendants are employed in car dealerships (new and used), service stations, collision repair businesses, vehicle rental firms, bus and truck depots, and car wash and detailing businesses. Opportunities are also available for self-employment. Future Growth Static

ANZSCO ID: 811111

Knowledge, skills and attributes

enjoy practical work
an eye for detail
able to work without supervision
able to cope with the physical demands of the job
reliability,
customer service skills, and
communication.

Car Wash Attendant
(Source: iBuzzUp)

Duties and Tasks

Car wash attendants may perform the following tasks:

Vacuum, clean and maintain vehicle interiors, including dashboards, consoles, carpet and car seats
Clean door trims and hinges
Use high-pressure hoses to clean the outside of vehicles
Wash and polish vehicle exteriors and blacken tyres
Drive vehicles through automatic car washes
Emptying and cleaning compartments in vehicles.
Washing and polishing vehicle windows.
Applying cleaning agents to remove stains from vehicle interiors.
May make minor repairs and touch up finishes to remove scratches.
Vacuuming and shampooing vehicle interiors, and drycleaning carpets and upholstery.
Washing, drying, polishing and waxing vehicle exteriors.
Washing tyres and wheel arches, and blackening tyres.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a car wash attendant without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

You can also become a car wash attendant through a traineeship in Automotive Body Repair Technology. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional Information

You are usually required to have a drivers licence to be a car wash attendant. Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

Employment Opportunities

Car wash attendants are employed in car dealerships (new and used), service stations, collision repair businesses, vehicle rental firms, bus and truck depots, and car wash and detailing businesses. Opportunities are also available for self-employment.