Introduction To Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships

You love to work with your hands and you also have a genuine interest in the motor vehicle industry. A passion for a great looking car. An appreciation for a finely tuned engine. A curiosity about how vehicles are kept in mint condition both in the body work and under the bonnet. If this is you then why not think about turning this passion and curiosity into your career?

Becoming a vehicle technician can open up a whole host of different types of jobs - roles where you can specialise and really become an expert in your field. Read on and you will see that there are various Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships that might just whet your appetite for a career in particular areas of vehicle maintenance and vehicle repair.

Contents:

• What Does A Vehicle Technician Do?
• How Do Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships Work?
• What Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships Are There?
• Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships - Qualifications & Requirements
• Further Career Progression After Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships
• Apply For Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships In The UK

What Does A Vehicle Technician Do?

But, what does a vehicle technician do? Vehicle technician jobs are basically an umbrella term for lots of other trades within vehicle repair and maintenance centres. They are often referred to as mechanic jobs or Mechanic Apprenticeships but the term ‘vehicle technician’ covers a broader range of specialist roles.

Yes, you might be spending most of your days with your head under the bonnet - or under the vehicle - in some roles. This is how you might think of mechanic jobs. And there are types of Mechanic Apprenticeships for this career path.

But for other types of vehicle technician jobs, your daily duties can involve record keeping, working with vehicle computer systems, using specialist tools, doing panel beater jobs, being a vehicle sprayer or working with heavy goods vehicles, for example.

If you want to do vehicle damage assessor jobs, not only will you need to have in-depth knowledge of the ins and outs of the vehicles you are dealing with, you will also need to have excellent communication and organisational skills.

You will need to communicate with your vehicle repair or vehicle maintenance team and also communicate with customers - the owners of the vehicles you are dealing with. They need to know what the problems are with their vehicle, what needs to be done to make the problem go away, how long the process will take and how much it is going to cost them.

Whilst you might have a firm knowledge of all the technical language involved in vehicle damage assessor jobs, your customers are likely to be in the dark about this so it is your job to be able to explain in layman’s terms what you will be doing to make their vehicle function in the best way possible.

So, if there are so many different types of specialisms you can delve into when it comes to vehicle technician jobs, how do you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in your chosen path? Well, the good news is, there are various Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships out there where you can really learn your craft.

How Do Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships Work?

Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship Standards are a great way to learn your trade because they have been drawn up by specialists within that particular field. These are the guys who have a real understanding of the skills and knowledge you need to be able to carry out your job safely and effectively and continue the development of vehicle maintenance and vehicle repair in the future.

Whilst learning your trade, you will also be paid at least the basic Apprenticeship salary for your age. You will also work towards a nationally recognised qualification whilst gaining structured training.

What Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships Are There?

So which direction would you like to take your career in? Let’s take a look at some of the Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships out there. These Apprenticeships should be ideal for school leavers looking for entry level Apprenticeship jobs.

They will also be useful if you are already doing entry level mechanic jobs and have decided you would like to specialise in a particular area and gain some qualifications.

Vehicle Damage Panel Technician Apprenticeship
If you are a sucker for a good looking vehicle and love the bodywork then you might be thinking about becoming a panel beater. Trainee panel beater jobs could be done as an Apprenticeship - this is the Vehicle Damage Panel Technician Apprenticeship.

When you have done this type of Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship, depending on your employer, your job title could be Panel Beater, Panel Technician or Body Repairer.

Your Panel Beater Apprenticeship will equip you with the skills and knowledge to do work in vehicle repair jobs where you fix bodywork according to manufacturer specifications.

Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprenticeship
This iVehicle Paint Technician Apprenticeship is for those of you looking to do work in vehicle repair doing car sprayer jobs. You will prepare, spray and finish vehicles that have been involved in accidents. Doing Apprentice car sprayer jobs, you will learn how to match colours to exact company standards and needs of the customer.

Automotive Glazing Technician Apprenticeship
This area of vehicle repair is all about the repair and replacement of car windscreens. This is a highly technical role and you could be working for windscreen companies, body repair shops or main dealerships.

This Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship will give you the technical knowledge necessary to fit windscreens in accordance with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Systems).

Vehicle Damage Mechanical, Electrical And Trim (MET) Technician Apprenticeship
This Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship is for those of you wanting to be a body shop technician. Apprentice bodyshop mechanic jobs are all about removing and refitting damaged mechanical and electrical components of a car before and after body repair work has been carried out.

Vehicle Damage Assessor Apprenticeship
In vehicle damage assessor jobs, you will be accountable for your own decisions. This is a varied role where you will liaise with customers, bodyshop staff, administrative staff and insurance companies so, as well as technical skills and knowledge, you will also need good communication and administrative skills.

Vehicle Service And Maintenance Technician Apprenticeships
There are two types of Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships for those of you who want to work in vehicle service and vehicle maintenance.

If you want to do vehicle service and maintenance jobs with cars and light commercial vehicles, you can do the Motor Vehicle Service And Maintenance Technician (Light Vehicle) Apprenticeship.

If you want to do vehicle service and maintenance jobs with heavy vehicles and trailers, you can do the Heavy Vehicle Maintenance And Service Technician Apprenticeship.

Vehicle service and vehicle maintenance jobs involve working on all the systems found in the vehicle and you might be doing anything from replacing simple parts to working with diagnostic equipment to deal with complex faults.

Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships - Qualifications & Requirements

Depending on the type of Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship you wish to do, you will need to meet certain criteria to get accepted onto - and successfully complete - an Apprenticeship programme.

Vehicle Damage Panel Technician Apprenticeship

• This Panel Beater Apprenticeship will take you three years to complete. The process could be shorter if you were already doing panel beater jobs and have some experience.
• On successful completion of the Apprenticeship, you will be awarded with a Level 3 qualification.
• You must reach Level 2 in Maths and English if not already achieved.
• Individual employers will state any additional entry requirements.

Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprenticeship

• This Car Sprayer Apprenticeship will take you three years to complete. The process could be shorter if you were already doing car sprayer jobs and have some experience.
• On successful completion of the Apprenticeship, you will be awarded with a Level 3 qualification.
• You must reach Level 2 in Maths and English if not already achieved.
• Individual employers will state any additional entry requirements.

Automotive Glazing Technician Apprenticeship

• This Automotive Glazing Technician Apprenticeship will take you three years to complete.
• On successful completion of the Apprenticeship, you will be awarded with a Level 3 qualification.
• You must reach Level 2 in Maths and English if not already achieved.
• Individual employers will state any additional entry requirements. They will be looking for people with experience in this industry or those with a genuine interest in windscreen replacement and repair.

Vehicle Damage Mechanical Electrical & Trim Apprenticeship

• This Bodyshop Mechanic Apprenticeship will take you three years to complete. The process could be shorter if you were already doing trainee mechanic jobs and have some experience.
• On successful completion of the Apprenticeship, you will be awarded with a Level 3 qualification.
• You must reach Level 2 in Maths and English if not already achieved. You must also achieve Certification in Refrigerant Handling. Your Bodyshop Mechanic Apprenticeship programme will give you the opportunity to gain the Certification.
• Individual employers will state any additional entry requirements.

Vehicle Damage Assessor Apprenticeships

• This Vehicle Damage Assessor Apprenticeship will take you three years to complete.
• On successful completion of the Apprenticeship, you will be awarded with a Level 4 qualification.
• You must reach at least Level 2 in Maths and English if not already achieved.
• Individual employers will state any additional entry requirements.

Vehicle Service And Maintenance Technician Apprenticeships

• Whichever of these Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships you choose (Heavy Vehicle Service And Maintenance Technician or Motor Vehicle Service And Maintenance Technician - Light Vehicle) they will take you three years to complete. The process could be shorter if you were already doing trainee mechanic jobs and have some relevant experience.
• On successful completion of either of the Maintenance And Service Technician Apprenticeships, you will be awarded with a Level 3 qualification.
• You must reach Level 2 in Maths and English if not already achieved. For the Light Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship, you must also hold a certificate that meets the EU’s 2014 F-gas regulation.
• Heavy Vehicle Service And Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship - Employers will set their own requirements but you must be able to show a genuine interest in how the HV industry operates. If you have done mechanic jobs previously or you have other relevant skills, this could also be an advantage.
• Motor Vehicle Service And Maintenance Technician - Light Vehicle - Again, individual employers will srt their own entry requirements but if you have done any type of mechanic jobs or vehicle technician jobs before, or you can demonstrate relevant mechanical skills, this would be an advantage. A genuine interest in the way vehicles work and good analytical skills are also an advantage.
• Professional Recognition - On successful completion of either of these Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships, you will be able to apply for professional registration as EngTech (Engineering Technician).

Further Career Progression After Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships

Whichever type of Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships you choose to do, once you have completed them, there are various ways to develop your career and therefore boost your vehicle technician salary.

For some of you, you might move into senior vehicle technician positions and supervise junior staff. If you are entrepreneurial, you could consider opening your own business where you work in vehicle repair or vehicle maintenance and service.

For some Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships, these lend themselves well to gaining further engineering qualifications if that is the route you want to take. This could also be done by doing a relevant Engineering Apprenticeship.

Apply For Vehicle Technician Apprenticeships In The UK

So, which Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship is it to be? Whichever route you want to take, apply for Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship jobs and you could soon be part of a valuable workforce keeping the UK’s motor vehicles on the road.