Apprentice Panel Technician

STEER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LIMITED

Derby (DE24 8UJ)

Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026

Posted on 2 December 2025

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Summary

Apprenticeships at Steer Automotive Group offer a great opportunity to open the pathway for a life-long career in the accident repair industry. You will be based at our accident repair centre gaining practical skills and work experience, learning while you earn, mentoring by a senior qualified technician.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 8am – 4.30pm ​

40 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 1 March 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

  • Working under direct supervision at all times to achieve full competence and qualification.
  • Accurately and skilfully assess all aspects of the motor vehicle body repair.
  • Detect and diagnose any additional faults for further repair
  • Ensure all work is completed safely and complies with manufacturer and British Standard industry guidelines
  • Identify and evaluate condition of safety related systems and any action required, applying H&S car related current legislation to do so (e.g. air bags, tyres etc)
  • Differentiate between items that need repairing and items that need replacement
  • Apply accurate and appropriate opinion times for method and duration for repair
  • Assess the cost and duration of a repair
  • Discuss damage and repairs with a range of stakeholders (vehicle owners, insurance companies, colleagues and managers), listening to their view, responding to concerns and negotiating using evidence-based reasoning
  • Assess the current market value of vehicle using industry proprietary guides
  • Obtain authorisation from the Client/Customer to proceed with repair to a vehicle and confirm the cost of the repair (if appropriate for the workplace)
  • Interpret and accurately apply estimating software system

Where you'll work

44 Longbridge Lane
Derby
DE24 8UJ

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 panel 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, including safety precautions, panel preparation and body measurements.
  • Ability to identify the material used in the construction to enable the correct joining techniques and manufacturer specifications to be adhered to.
  • Ability to interpret relevant technical data and methods to make sure that any joints are in line with vehicle manufacturer specification and the vehicle/body panels are aligned correctly
  • Ability to identify and understand the correct joining technology, e.g. when to use resistance spot welding or mig brazing or bonding.
  • Ability to remove, repair and replace vehicle body panels and components of the vehicle safely and efficiently
  • Ability to identify and operate the correct repair tools, equipment and devices used in the process, panel pulling systems, jig and alignment tools, spot welders, brazing tools.
  • Ability to identify and communicate supplementary damage such as panels that were deemed to be reparable but once worked on were found to be beyond repair along with damage that could not be established on original inspection.
  • Ability to detect and rectify faults within a vehicles structure that’s integral to its safety

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Mathematics (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
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Patience

About this employer

Steer Automotive Group are one of the fastest growing and progressive Accident Repair Groups in the UK, with sustained growth and continuous investment in the latest technology and training. This role will be an integral part of the site and you will be trained to work to the highest standards and develop a commitment to complete quality from start to finish.

Company benefits

29 days holiday including public holidays plus additional days with service. Pension contributions. £1,000 recommend a technician bonus incentive. Enhanced maternity, paternity & adoption pay
Enhanced sick pay. Health cash plan.

After this apprenticeship

Become a qualified Panel Technician then into more senior roles

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THATCHAM RESEARCH

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000003407.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026

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