Panel Technician Apprentice

SOLUS (LONDON) LIMITED

Aldershot Hampshire, Aylesbury, Bishop's Stortford, Exeter, London, Newport, Perth Perthshire, Peterborough, Rutherglen Glasgow Lanarkshire, Weybridge Surrey

Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026

Posted on 3 March 2026


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 panel technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm

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

  • Support with repairing and replacing damaged panels
  • Learn techniques such as dent pulling, filing and welding under guidance
  • Remove and re-fit exterior body components as part of panel repair
  • Prepare repaired panels for paint; sanding, filler work

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 Aldershot, 5 Blackwater Valley Industrial Park Holder Road, Aldershot Hampshire, GU12 4PQ
  • Solus Aylesbury, 9 Rabans Ln, Aylesbury, HP19 8RT
  • 1 Birchanger Industrial Estate, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 2TH
  • 9 Apple Lane, Exeter, EX2 5GL
  • 1-9 Chase Road, London, NW10 6LX
  • Llanwern Works, Newport, NP19 4QZ
  • Solus Perth, Friarton Bridge Park Friarton Road, Perth Perthshire, PH2 8DD
  • Solus Peterborough, 17 Bakewell Road Orton Southgate, Peterborough, PE2 6XU
  • Solus Glasgow, Clyde Industrial Estate Cunninghame Road, Rutherglen Glasgow Lanarkshire, G73 1PP
  • 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 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

  • 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

  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills

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

Robert Randall

Robert.Randall@solusarc.co.uk

07385 951200

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000018858.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026

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