Join us at the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
An often-unseen organisation with untold impact; we exist to improve vehicle safety and environment protection through robust testing and certification to national and internationally recognised standards.
An executive agency of the Department for Transport, we work across the automotive industry as a combined approval authority and technical service in the UK and overseas. Our unique position and diversely skilled workforce derive from over 40 years’ experience safeguarding our roads, putting quality, precision and knowledge at the heart of everything we do.
We are at the forefront of change, playing a critical role in the development of comprehensive frameworks that enables ground-breaking new technologies to be deployed on our roads and seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Without knowing it, there is every chance the work we are involved in has affected you and the lives of millions.
Why choose a career at VCA?
Become a part of an organisation where every person counts and can make a real difference. Our inclusive and friendly culture promotes organic growth, fostering a holistic approach to develop all our staff with a variety of learning opportunities and wellbeing support.
The landscape we operate in continually changes at pace, which means we are having to evolve and adapt constantly to meet our exacting standards. This makes our work exciting, challenging and varied. To achieve success, we require a wide range of skills and attributes from people who bring with them experience and a forward-thinking attitude which we can embrace to deliver excellence and our absolute best.
Roles
We offer a variety of roles that all contribute greatly to the impact of our business. Transferrable skills and knowledge can be applied across the Agency and built upon in many ways so that you are not limited in your development or ability to thrive.
The varied routes we provide into the Agency, including our Graduate and Apprenticeship Schemes, ensure you are joining us on a path where you are supported and have access to resource and training you may need to do your role confidently.
Several of our roles offer the opportunity to travel in the UK and overseas, giving our colleagues an opportunity to experience new countries and cultures. These experiences can be highly rewarding, opening doors to working in new and exciting environments with highly skilled colleagues and world-leading manufacturers. Additionally, certain roles that meet the requirements attract skill-specific allowances on top of a competitive salary.
You can also find more information about Graduate and Apprenticeship opportunities on the VCA website
Our departments.
Our work activities and teams sit within four central departments across the Agency. These departments work closely together, daily, collaborating internally and externally with our stakeholders and customers in the UK and overseas to deliver a complete service. They comprise of engineering, analytical, corporate and administrative roles, all responsible for the effective and efficient running of our business. You can learn more about each by clicking through the tabs below:
-
Technical Standards and Legislation
There are multiple specialities within this department who play a key role in delivering type approvals that allow manufacturers to introduce new and updated products to market.
Our technical experts work with industry leaders and advise government on regulatory developments to deploy the vehicles of tomorrow onto our roads safely.
To ensure manufacturers continue to meet agreed approvals by us, they are audited by our Conformity of Production Team to assure consistent quality is maintained. We also internally audit our own processes to make certain we have the capability and proficiency to achieve the gold standard we mark ourselves against.
-
Corporate Affairs & Dangerous Goods
Where creative meets corporate; this department addresses both our formal communications, including Parliamentary questions and Freedom of Information requests, and our internal and external engagement with staff, stakeholders and customers across multiple platforms and channels. Data and information available to the public and industry, including fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, are also upheld here.
Our role as the designated authority for the certification of packaging and intermediate bulk containers, used for the transport of dangerous goods, also sits with the remit of Corporate Affairs. It is overseen by our dedicated team who are situated in Leatherhead (UK).
-
Finance, Resourcing and IT
Beneath the surface of our testing and technical work are teams who support the daily functions of our business without whom we could not operate.
Managing our finances, ensuring colleagues are supported with learning and development, wellbeing, keeping our Estates safe and in order and facilitating the smooth running of our IT and digital services are but a few of the many undertakings of this department.
Together, the skills and input of these teams create the foundations for us to prosper.
-
International Operations
The core activity of our International Operations is the robust testing of vehicles, systems and components. Dynamic or static tests may either be witnessed or conducted by our engineers depending on what is required.
Travel to manufacturer sites and test facilities is necessary and is supported by our strategically placed offices across the globe. Our International Operations team works with our Technical and Statutory Operations department to deliver the end certification product.
Benefits of working for Vehicle Certification Agency
Being part of the Civil Service entitles you to an immediate range of benefits that promote a healthy work-life balance.
At the VCA we offer:
- A competitive salary
- Leave – Up to 30 days annual leave (with a minimum of 25 days). An opportunity to buy and sell annual leave.
- Flexible working – Including flexi-time and home working (subject to operational requirements).
- A Civil Service Pension (LINK to video)
- Family friendly policies – Family friendly policies to support maternity, paternity and shared parental leave
- Health and wellbeing support – Access to an Employee Assistance Programme, supporting a range
of well-being needs - Staff recognition – Local Recognition Award payments for individuals or teams.
- Free Parking – Free onsite parking and reduced rates for vehicle charging at our larger sites
- Cycle to work scheme – Save money on a new bike and spread the cost over monthly
tax-free instalments - Employee discount scheme – Discounts on a range of products and service through our employee discount scheme
- Corporate Clothing – Annual corporate clothing allowance
- Learning and Development – Structured development plans and time for learning and development. Opportunities to attend external training courses
- Volunteering time – Up to 3 days per year volunteering time
- Networking Groups – Access to a range of Civil Service and Department for Transport network groups
Where you can find us
Our largest sites are in Bristol (headquarters) and the Midlands (Nuneaton). Both sites are well served by good transport links, including road, rail and bike. Our Nuneaton office is based on the HORIBA MIRA site and we also have a presence at the Millbrook Proving Ground, near Milton Keynes.
Our Dangerous Goods team is based in Leatherhead, Surrey.
Our overseas offices are in North and South America, Japan, China, India, South Korea and Australia.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
The work we do takes an incredible community of people, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities, which is why it’s important to us all colleagues are offered equal opportunities across VCA.
We are passionate about supporting career development and training for diversifying skills and gaining qualifications, helping individuals reach their full potential and career aspirations.
The mental and physical wellbeing of our colleagues is equally important to us, and the focus of many campaigns and events we run throughout the year for all colleagues to get involved.
We welcome all applications, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, social background, religious beliefs, ethnicity or age.
What our people say about working at VCA
Jamie McFadden, Head of Automated Vehicle Technology Group
“I am inspired daily by the knowledge and experience of the group and people I work with, combined with the enthusiasm for our work. We are equipped to handle complex tasks with skill and expertise on some very challenging topics when regulating connected and automated vehicles. I really feel a part of something big, especially as the deployment of automated vehicle technology in the UK is going to lead to major change which is exciting to be a part of. “
Louise Strange, Financial Controller
“…the finance department feels hugely involved in the life of VCA and it is an..”
Charmaine Perks, Legislation Analyst
“…the expectation to travel is minimal which sits well with my home life…”
How you can start your career with VCA!
Many exciting opportunities to join the Vehicle Certification Agency are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website. Be sure to check the website regularly to see our latest vacancies, and turn on job alerts so you stay in the loop with the latest jobs as they’re launched!
Stay Updated
Follow us to hear about current and upcoming career opportunities at the VCA.