Paint Sprayer Apprentice
SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED
Bournemouth (BH4 9JA)
Closes on Friday 31 October 2025
Posted on 19 September 2025
Contents
Summary
As a Paint Spray and Bodywork Apprentice, you'll play a key role in maintaining the appearance of our trains to the high standards our customers expect. You'll need to be practical, detail-oriented, and have good hand-eye coordination.
- Wage
-
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
- Training course
- Vehicle damage paint technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday - hours TBC
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 24 August 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- On-the-job experience at Bournemouth Traincare Depot
- Block release residential training at Thatcham Research's world-class facility in Berkshire.
- Academic qualifications in vehicle body and paint repair
Where you'll work
Bournemouth Traincare Depot
Nelson Road
Bournemouth
BH4 9JA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THATCHAM RESEARCH
Training course
Vehicle damage paint technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Ability to undertake appropriate job preparation prior to commencing repair e.g. substrate surface preparation, paint volume calculation etc
- Ability to correctly identify the substrate materials to be refinished e.g. plastic, steel, aluminium etc
- Ability to interpret relevant technical data and methods to create paint manufactures specified application
- Ability to use refinishing materials following paint manufacturer specifications to reinstate vehicle finish back to high quality
- Ability to identify and operate the correct repair tools, equipment and devices used in the process e.g mixing systems, paint booths, UV lamps and spray equipment
Training schedule
Year 1
- Attend 2-week block release training sessions at Thatcham Research
- Complete Level 2 VCQ in Vehicle Body and Paint
- Gain practical experience at Bournemouth Traincare Depot
Years 2 & 3 - Progress to Level 3 VCQ in Vehicle Body and Paint
- Continue block release training at Thatcham Research
- Receive ongoing workplace training and mentoring
- Work toward becoming an IMI-accredited Body and Paint Technician
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 5)
- Science (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Flexibility
About this employer
South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.
https://careers.southwesternrailway.com/ (opens in new tab)
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Opportunities for development on completion of apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THATCHAM RESEARCH
recruitment@swrailway.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000342629.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 31 October 2025
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