Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprenticeship
The Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprenticeship programme is designed to give you the relevant training and education required to become a successful employee within the motor industry. Learning through practical and theory sessions at College is teamed with work-based experience and training in order to achieve a level 3 qualification.
Overview of the role
Preparing, spraying and finishing vehicles that have been involved in collisions and other incidents.
Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Typical job titles:
Painters, Vehicle Paint Sprayer, Paint Technician, Prepper/Painter, Refinish Technician, Car Sprayer, Applications Technician.
Occupational profile
A Vehicle Damage Paint Technician works in the vehicle body repair sector of the motor industry. The role is to prepare, spray and finish vehicles that have been involved in collisions and other incidents in an efficient manner. The vehicles can include Cars/Light Commercial Vehicles. This includes ensuring correct colour match and final finish to the company and customers exacting standards. This is usually within a collision repair workshop or smart repair workshops/mobile repair micro business and working alongside another fully qualified Paint Technician.
They understand the general principles of spray painting technology, paint composition, paint mixing and the various methods of paint spraying vehicles.
They prepare vehicles fully before painting to include masking, sanding and other necessary preparation work.
They are also responsible for keeping all company tools and equipment safe and in a clean, workable condition paying particular attention to the reduction of any fire hazards.
Their role includes repair, surface preparation and painting to the manufacturer paint specification. A technician is able to follow defined processes to restore the vehicle to a high-quality paint finish. This includes being able to demonstrate colour identification and select the correct materials such as primers, base coats and lacquers applied using spray equipment and utilising modern drying/curing techniques such as Ultra Violet (UV), Infrared and catalytic solutions used in the refinishing of vehicles. Create a safe environment working efficiently and reducing waste.
They usually work as part of a team and under supervision.
The Requirements – Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Vehicle Damage Paint Technicians demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and behaviours:
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Entry Requirements
Entry requirements:
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria for applicants.
Candidates should already have an NVQ Level 2 in Vehicle Paint Operations. You will need to be dedicated and committed to your study and be responsible for your own learning. You will be required to attend an interview with the work based learning team and be asked to complete basic skills assessments in literacy and numeracy followed by a paper based trade assessment. Students on this course are required to be employed in a suitable work placement with a motor paint operations company and have four GCSEs (grades A*-E), or equivalent, including English and maths.
Qualifications:
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 qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.
Assessment
This section sets out the requirements for the End-Point Assessment (EPA), designed to prove occupational competence of apprentices following comprehensive training, development and occupational mentoring.
Full time apprentices will typically spend 36 months on-programme working towards the apprenticeship standard, with a minimum of 20% off-the-job training.
The EPA should only start once the employer is satisfied that the apprentice is consistently working at or above the level set out in the standard, the pre-requisite gateway requirements for EPA have been met and that they can be evidenced to an EPA organisation.
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 qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications for those whom this is their primary language.
They are also required to complete a mandatory portfolio of evidence that will be used as a basis for the “professional discussion” method of assessment which is described later on in this plan.
The EPA must be completed over a maximum total assessment time of 13 hours 15 minutes within a three-month period, after the apprentice has met the EPA
gateway requirements.
The practical skills task is to be completed over a two day period.
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 three distinct assessment methods:
Knowledge test = 90 minutes, professional discussion= 45 minutes and practical
skills test = 11 hours)
Professional Discussion (supported by a portfolio of evidence)
Practical Skills Test
What Can I Do Next?
Following further training and development, career pathways may include progression to roles such as insurance assessor, automotive loss adjuster, visual damage assessor or possible progression to the Institute of Road Transport Engineers programme.
Information for Employers
What will this cost my business?
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.
Does the apprentice have to attend college?
College attendance will be required over the duration of the course and will be determined post-application
What about support in the workplace?
Skilled and knowledgeable staff must be available to support the apprentice as they complete work-based tasks.
Why should I choose Colchester Institute to support my recruitment and retention?
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:
- Advertising the Apprenticeship vacancy
- Manage the applications received in line with your individual requirements
- Match prospective candidates already known to us
- Conduct initial pre-screening for candidates
- Carry out visits to your premises alongside regular reviews to support you, your staff and your apprentice
- Advice on any grants or funding where available
Our team will provide:
- A fee free recruitment service.
- Personal 1:1 Apprenticeship Levy advice and guidance.
- A dedicated Account Manager.
- Industry experienced, professional, technical trainers.
- Bespoke programmes available upon request.
- An Essex priority skills focus.
- Free employer events.
Looking for a new career, job or maybe a qualification to take your current role to the next level?
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.
Aged between 15 and 18
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:
- currently in year 11 and looking to study on an apprenticeship upon finishing school
- currently in year 11 and looking to make a joint full-time and apprenticeship application, so that both options are available to be pursued upon finishing school (although you can apply for both options you will eventually need to choose between a full-time programme or apprenticeship, you cannot do both at the same time)
- currently in year 12* on a full-time course and looking to find an apprenticeship to start after the end of the summer term
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:
Aged 19+
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.
Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprenticeship
Course Outline: Provides the relevant training and education required to become a successful employee within the motor industry
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 |
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| 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 |
What will this cost my Business?
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
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.
Disclaimer
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.
