A motor vehicle service and maintenance technician services and repairs light vehicles such as cars and vans and works either in dealerships which focus on a particular manufacturer, or in an independent garage which deals with many different makes of vehicles.
The Automotive Retail Industry provides employment for over half a million employees who work for approximately 70,000 employers. It is a major contributor to the UK economy. In a large dealership the Technician will typically report to the Workshop Controller, who in turn reports to the Aftersales Manager and liaises with the Service Reception. In smaller garages the Technician will report directly to the owner or Garage Manager.
The technician must be able to work independently but also operate as an effective team member and have good customer handling skills. They will understand how their workshop and the dealership/garage functions from a commercial perspective and identify ways in which they can work more efficiently. Technicians working in large dealerships work with other departments, for example carrying out work for the Sales Department and ordering parts from the Parts Department, whereas apprentices in smaller independent garages may be called upon to carry out some of the function of the other departments themselves, for example managing their own delivery of parts.
The technician will work on all the systems found within the vehicle. The day-to-day work ranges from replacing simple parts through to solving complex faults with the use of diagnostic methods and equipment. The tasks faced are constantly changing, driven by the introduction of ever more complex technologies and diagnostic techniques.
The growing complexity of today’s vehicles, and the pressure to deliver a high-quality customer experience, requires the retail automotive sector to attract and train high calibre individuals and this is reflected in the elements of the Standard described below.
Motor vehicle service and maintenance technicians have the following knowledge and understanding:
Motor vehicle service and maintenance technicians require the following skills, and will be able to:
Motor vehicle service and maintenance technicians demonstrate the following behaviours:
Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice might be expected to already have the following qualities: an interest in the way vehicles operate; able to demonstrate general analytical and mechanical skills, a capacity for mechanical reasoning and the potential to research, analyse and solve problems; well organised, methodical and good attention to detail; good spatial awareness; able to work in a team and to communicate well both orally and in writing; cares about delivering excellent service – both internally and externally to colleagues and customers.
Before the motor vehicle service and maintenance technician standard is met, all apprentices must hold a certificate that meets the EU’s 2014 F-gas regulation.
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.
This standard has been designed to be recognised by relevant Professional Engineering Institutions and successful apprentices can apply for the appropriate level of professional registration (EngTech).
The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017 has changed the way that government funds apprenticeships in England. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3million are required to contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy. Speak to an advisor at CI Business Solutions on 01206 712727 to make your levy payments work for you. Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account. Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee. Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview. Speak to an Advisor at CI Business Solutions on 01206 712727 to make your levy payments work for you.
College attendance will be required over the duration of the course and will be determined post-application
Skilled and knowledgeable staff must be available to support the apprentice as they complete work-based tasks.
Colchester Institute is the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Greater Essex. We are experts at connecting the right people, to the right training, to the right business – and when it comes to Apprenticeships, our Apprenticeship Advisors can support your business every step of the way.
As part of our service we can support your business with:
Our team will provide:
This section sets out the requirements for End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician (Light Vehicle), Level 3, apprenticeship standard. It will be of interest to Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician apprentices and their employers, training providers and end-point assessment organisations.
Prior to taking their EPA, full time apprentices will typically:
Spend 36 months on the programme;
Complete a minimum of 20% off-the-job training;
Complete an F-Gas qualification;
Complete a Logbook, used to inform the Professional Discussion;
Achieve level 2 in English and maths, if not previously done so.
The EPA should only start once the employer is satisfied that requirements for EPA have been met and must be completed within 6 months of the EPA gateway. EPA must be conducted by an organisation approved to offer services against this standard, as selected by the employer, from the Education &Skills Funding Agency’s Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations.
The EPA consists of 3 distinct methods:
Online Knowledge Test
Skills Test
Professional Discussion
Performance in the EPA will determine the apprenticeship grade of fail, pass or distinction.
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Previously apprenticeships were primarily aimed towards 16-18 year olds but government reforms introduced in March 2017 mean that there is no longer an upper age limit for commencing an apprenticeship, even if you already possess a degree or higher level qualification (all applicants must be eligible for funding).
To apply for an apprenticeship please read through the information below and then select the correct application button from the menu located further down the page.
The application window for joint applications for full-time courses and apprenticeships starting in September 2023 opened on Monday 3rd October at 12pm.
In order to study an apprenticeship you must have an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice and have an offer of employment in place by September, ready for enrolment.
The information below applies to those:
If you are interested in an Apprenticeship but do not yet have a contract of employment from an employer, we strongly advise you to apply for a full-time programme as well so you have a back-up. We will process both your full-time application and apprenticeship application until you inform us that you have secured an employer and have an Apprenticeship contract in place, at which point your apprenticeship application will take priority.
If you do have an employer with an Apprenticeship contract of employment in place, we still strongly advise that you apply for a full-time programme as well so you that you have a back-up in case this falls through.
Once you have read the above please click the button ’15 – 18 Years – Apply Online’ in the menu underneath this section and you will be taken to the next stage of the application process.
*If you are currently in year 12 and 13, but looking to find an apprenticeship and switch mid-year then please contact our Apprenticeship Admissions Team where they will advise you on suitable vacancies.
01206 712043 – Apprenticeship Admissions or email:
In order to study an apprenticeship you must have an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice and with an offer of employment in place.
Please read through the information below and follow the information that applies to your current status.
If you do have an employer with an Apprenticeship contract of employment in place then please click the button ’19+ Years – How to Apply’ located in the menu underneath this section, where you will be taken to the next stage of the application process.
I am already in employment and my employer would like to put me through an apprenticeship
If you are already in employment then please contact our Apprenticeship Admissions Team where they will work with you and your employer to complete the sign-up and enrolment onto the programme.
01206 712043 – Apprenticeship Admissions or email:
ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
I don’t have an employer
If you do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place then there are other options available to you:
Apply for a vacancy
Employers can recruit for apprentice positions all year round. We have apprenticeship vacancies listed on our website throughout the year in a variety of industries and with employers small, medium and large.
Join Our Talent Pool
All you have to do is complete and submit our Talent Pool application form, attend a pre-screening assessment/interview and be available when contacted. We will then send your details along with your profile to employers looking for an apprentice, inform you if you are selected for interview, and send you guidance to prepare you for interview.
If you are unsure about any of the above and would like to speak to our apprenticeships team directly then please contact us using the below:
01206 712043 – Applicant Enquiries or email:
ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
Employer Enquiries
If you would be interested to find out more about how this apprenticeship can work for your business or already have a member of staff who this apprenticeship would be perfect for please contact us using the ‘Hire an Apprentice: Enquire Here’ button in the menu below.
Starting employment as an apprentice can occur throughout the year. However, the start date for attending college for training, where required, or if delivered online, when sessions begin, will vary depending on the type of apprenticeship and will be communicated post-employment and sign-up.
Level | Level 3 |
---|---|
Location | Colchester |
Duration | This apprenticeship typically takes three years to complete |
Campus / Adult Skills Centre | Colchester Campus |
Apprenticeship Funding Band (Levy paying employers) | £15,000 |
Employer Contribution Fee (Non-levy paying employers) | £750 |
Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.
Apprenticeship Funding Bands
Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee. Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.
All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2022-23 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.
Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.
The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.