Ive often thought theres a market for an agency fitter, that way he gets to work everywhere and I bet its something the agencies dont offer yet and if they do the guys they send will be muppets.
Also gets his name out there and maybe in the future when he has enough contacts he could go on his own, but the agency way has little risk for him, just needs to bring the basic tools as they arent going to ask him to do much more than servicing/clutches.
As for the wages yes down in Kent 35/40k is pretty much the going rate for shift worker earlies lates week about 40hr week, add on 10hrs o/time at low 20s per hour and theres your 50k
If hes doing 70 hrs and not getting anywheres near that someone taking the pee out of him.
Ive sent you a pm ref money