Key Information

Location:
Nationwide Opportunities

Duration:
36 months

Qualification:
Vehicle Damage Panel Technician (Level 3)

Entry Requirements:
GCSE (or equivalent) grade A*-C or 9-4 in Maths and English. Predicated grades are accepted.

Job Role

A Vehicle Damage Panel Technician works within a Body Repair workshop, demonstrating expert working knowledge in relation to the removal, repair, and replacement of vehicle body panels to vehicle manufacturer specifications. The vehicles can include cars and light commercial vehicles.

With motor vehicle technology changing all the time panel technicians keep up to date with the most relevant equipment and advanced repair techniques within the automotive industry. They do so by adhering to the manufacturer’s literature and modification bulletins.

The equipment they use can include using jigs, resistance welding equipment, riveting and bonding tools, as well as new equipment such as Reinforced Plastic Carbon Fibre diagnostic ultrasound tools.

The duties of an Accident Repair Technician may include:

  • Using a range of tools
  • Panel Repair & Replacement
  • Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET)
  • Smoothing minor dents and filling small holes or rusted areas
  • Keeping records of all completed work

We’re looking for ambitious candidates ready to take ownership of their development, work hard to achieve their potential and grow with an ambitious employer.

Future Prospects

There are lots of opportunities to develop your career; from short to long term. Your early development is carefully mapped through your Apprenticeship journey with your learning focussed toward achieving an industry recognised qualification that’s recognised across the Motor Industry.

This is the grounding for your future development within the network and opportunities exist, once qualified, to further develop your skills and to move into new roles.

Applications open all year round…

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Learn More

A typical working week could be 40 hours Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm, however each of our Dealers will have different requirements.

All learners will be required to work the minimum apprenticeship duration of 30 hours per week. At least 20% of your working hours will be allocated to ‘off-the-job’ training. We’ll support you to understand the working hours during the recruitment process.

All of our opportunities receive a really good response and so we’re looking for you to demonstrate why you stand out from the crowd. We’re not looking for the finished article; rather we want to identify those people that are ambitious and demonstrate a willingness to learn, who are excited by the prospect of working with our fantastic, technologically advanced vehicles, and really engage in the recruitment process.

We are committed to supporting our Apprentice’s technical, employability, and broader personal development skills, to ensure they can progress and develop their career.  When it comes to selecting the right people to become apprentices, it’s as much about attitude as it is about vocational and academic success. That’s why in addition to the qualifications we require from you, we’ll also look for you to possess the following key behaviours. From problem-solving abilities to an enthusiasm for our industry, these are all attributes that will be vital in your role and they will be assessed throughout the application process.

  • Logical and creative thinking skills
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work independently and to take responsibility
  • Can use own initiative
  • A thorough and organised approach
  • Ability to work with a range of internal and external people
  • Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of situations
  • Maintain productive, professional and secure working environment

Age: 16+

Prior Attainment: GCSE (or equivalent) grade A*-C or 9-4 in Maths and English. Predicated grades are accepted.
In Scotland, applicants must have or be predicted to achieve National 4 or above in English and Maths and either a Science or Technical subject. Standard Grades 1-4 and Intermediates are also accepted.

‘Equivalent’ grades include:

  • BTEC first diplomas and certificates
  • OCR Nationals
  • Key Skills Level 2
  • NVQs
  • Essential Skills (Wales)
  • Functional Skills Level 2
  • Core Skills (Scotland)

Your application will be assessed by the Recruitment & Selection Team against the Entry Requirements specified for the role. We aim to update you on the status of your application within no more than 5 working days.

If you are successful in your application you will be invited to participate in a short telephone interview. Candidates are then shortlisted again and will be asked to complete a range of web-based assessments appropriate to the role that you have applied for.

Finally candidates are invited to meet with their local Dealer in the form of a face-to-face interview. This may extend to a second interview and in some cases a working trial.

More information will be shared with candidates as a part of the process. Feedback is made available to candidates at each stage.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group and appointment will be based on merit alone. Being committed to equal opportunities, if you have a disability please state this during the application process. Measures will be put in place to support you through your application and apprenticeship journey.

Our Dealers dictate the remuneration that our learners receive. All Dealers are required to pay, at least, The National Minimum Wage.

More information about the minimum wage for apprentices can be found on the Government website at:

https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

Apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that’s part of their apprenticeship.

For more information about the opportunity or to discuss your application, please contact the Recruitment and Selection team on 01235 538 611.