Vehicle Damage Panel Apprentice Technician (Metroline Manchester)

Metroline Manchester

Stalybridge (SK15 1QP)

Closes in 27 days (Monday 1 June 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 5 May 2026

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Summary

Start your career in automotive accident repair with Metroline Manchester. As a Vehicle Damage Panel Technician apprentice, you’ll gain hands-on experience repairing buses and coaches while working towards a Level 3 qualification, with expert support, structured training, and clear progression into a skilled technical role.

Wage

£16,736.72 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Under 21:

Year 1: £16,736.72 per year (£8.47 per hour)
Year 2: £25,470.64 per year (£12.89 per hour)

Age 21 and over:

Year 1 & 2: £26,577.20 per year (£13.45 per hour)

Training course
Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch.

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 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 alongside experienced technicians, you’ll develop the skills to repair accident-damaged vehicles to industry standards.

You will learn how to:

  • Assess vehicle damage and identify repair methods
  • Remove and replace damaged panels and components
  • Repair panels using metalworking tools and techniques
  • Carry out welding and bonding repairs
  • Realign vehicle structures using specialist equipment
  • Work with modern materials including high-strength steels and composites
  • Complete quality checks and final inspections

Where you'll work

Unit 5 Riverside Works
Clarence Street
Stalybridge
SK15 1QP

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

S & B AUTOMOTIVE ACADEMY LIMITED

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

S&B Automotive Academy is a specialist automotive apprenticeship training provider based in Bedminster, Bristol. As part of this apprenticeship, you will gain hands-on experience repairing collision damage within a professional bodyshop environment, developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the Vehicle Damage Panel Technician standard.

Throughout the programme, you will attend block training at S&B Automotive Academy, typically 6 one-week blocks per year (Monday to Friday) alongside your workplace learning.

You will be supported throughout your apprenticeship by:

  • A workplace mentor
  • An S&B Development Coach
  • An electronic logbook to track your progress (accessible by both you and your employer)

You will complete Gateway Assessments at the end of each year, progressing towards your final End-Point Assessment (EPA).

Training will focus on panel repair techniques, including removing and refitting panels, repairing damaged bodywork, using specialist tools and equipment, and working to manufacturer and industry standards within a repair workshop environment.

For national apprentices attending block training in Bristol:

  • S&B Automotive Academy is located near Bristol Temple Meads railway station and the M32
  • Travel and accommodation are fully funded by the employer
  • Accommodation includes a single occupancy hotel room, with breakfast and an evening meal provided during the weekly training blocks

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C/Functional Skill Level 2)
  • Maths (grade 4/C/Functional Skill Level 2)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Closing dates, interviews and start dates are subject to change, and interviews may take place at any time. Once S&B receives your application, eligibility and suitability checks will be completed before suitable applicants are shared with the employer. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and a benchmarking initial assessment may be required. You will be contacted by S&B or the employer if selected to progress. If you wish to withdraw your application, please inform us as soon as possible.

About this employer

Metroline Manchester is a key provider of public bus services across Greater Manchester, operating routes as part of the Bee Network under contract to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). As part of the wider Metroline Group, we are committed to excellence in service delivery, passenger experience, and vehicle reliability. Our depot operations are dynamic, innovative, and focused on high safety and environmental standards.

Joining Metroline Manchester means becoming part of a dedicated team that values continuous improvement, professional growth, and delivering sustainable transport solutions to local communities.

https://www.metroline.co.uk/about/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Employee discount
  • Health & wellbeing programme

After this apprenticeship

Metroline Manchester are dedicated to supporting your career development beyond the apprenticeship. With your qualification and experience, you’ll be well-positioned to take on further accident repair or technical training or advance into supervisory or specialist roles within Metroline Manchester or across the wider transport engineering industry.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

S & B AUTOMOTIVE ACADEMY LIMITED

S&B Automotive Academy

contactus@sandbaa.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000029748.

Apply now

Closes in 27 days (Monday 1 June 2026 at 11:59pm)