Paint Technician Apprentice

SOLUS (LONDON) LIMITED

Basildon Essex, Castleford, Coventry, Dunstable, Exeter, Ipswich, London, Peterborough, Stockon on Tees, Weybridge Surrey

Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026

Posted on 10 March 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

Solus offers an award‑winning apprenticeship programme that helps people build careers in automotive repair through paid, hands‑on learning and industry‑recognised training. Our programme has been recognised nationally, including winning Best Apprentice Programme, and provides clear routes into long‑term technical and leadership careers.

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 paint technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday between 8am - 5pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 3 August 2026

Duration

2 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

  • Prepare vehicle panels for painting (cleaning, sanding, masking).
  • Mix and apply primers, base coats and top coats under supervision. 
  • Assist with colour matching and paint finishing (polishing, minor rectification). 
  • Help maintain paint equipment and keep the spray area clean and safe.

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • Solus Basildon, Yardley Business Park Luckyn Lane 32 Luckyn Ln, Basildon Essex, SS14 3BZ
  • Thunderhead Ridge, Castleford, WF10 4UA
  • Stonebridge Trading Estate, Rowley Drive, Coventry, CV3 4FG
  • Solus Dunstable, Unit 29 Woodside Industrial Estate, Dunstable, LU5 4TT
  • 9 Apple Lane, Exeter, EX2 5GL
  • Solus Ipswich, Unit 1, Wood Farm Business Centre, Stonham Road, Ipswich, IP6 9TH
  • 1-9 Chase Road, London, NW10 6LX
  • Solus Peterborough, 17 Bakewell Road Orton Southgate, Peterborough, PE2 6XU
  • Solus Stockton on Tees, Unit 13 Teesway North Tees Industrial Estate Teesway, Stockon on Tees, TS18 2RS
  • Solus Weybridge, 5 Vickers Dr N, Weybridge Surrey, KT13 0YU

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

They will complete their training through block‑release, attending college in week‑long periods a few times per year rather than attending one or two days each week. During these training weeks, we provide all travel, accommodation and meals to support their learning.

Requirements

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
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working

About this employer

Solus is one of the largest body repair groups in the country, employing over 1000 expert people across 27 UK locations and have repaired over 700,000 vehicles in the last 15 years and is wholly owned by Aviva  -Up to £5,250.00 per annum in additional bonus  -Our excellent benefits and rewards packages -Employer matched pension contributions up to 7.5% (service dependent) -Discounts on Aviva products and services -Savings and benefits schemes -Discounts and schemes for electric vehicle purchase for all employees -Holding several main manufacturer approvals – Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Mini, and Volkswagen -Well known for prestigious award winning in the industry, customer service, apprenticeships, and IT systems fields -Links with Thatcham to get the best products and training here in the UK -We have a variety of locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. -We interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job.

https://www.solusgroup.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

They can progress with different courses to become specialists in their field, or they can progress into leadership roles at site or in a support function. Many of our people across the business started as an apprentice. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOLUS (LONDON) LIMITED

Monica Jain

monica.jain@solusarc.co.uk

07798 708678

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014759.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.