Apprentice Panel Technician
AUTO BODY LANGUAGE LIMITED
Bilston, Durham, Redditch, Redhill
Closes in 21 days (Friday 29 May 2026)
Posted on 8 May 2026
Contents
Summary
We are a large organisation, which is growing rapidly, with lots of opportunities for our people to grow, develop and progress, with access to reward and recognition packages. You will attend Thatcham Research for block learning, and you will be buddied with an experienced Panel Technician who will support your learning at work.
- Wage
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£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
The rate of pay is dependent upon age and performance and will be reviewed at 6 monthly intervals. In year 2 there is the option to join the performance bonus scheme.
- Training course
- Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)
- Hours
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Normal opening hours are 8.00am – 5.30pm Monday - Friday. The weekly working pattern will be agreed with your manager, as some sites have variations to the opening hours
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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3 years
- Positions available
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4
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
As an Apprentice Panel Technician, you will gain the knowledge and skills so you can repair and replace damaged panels so the vehicle can be finished by Paint Technician’s so the vehicle looks as good as new.
- To support the repair and return of customers’ vehicles to their purchased and factory standard following an accident
- To remove damaged panels
- To repair damaged panels and chassis and fit them
- To maintain a clean and safe environment
- To use diagnostic equipment to determine the alignment of the vehicle’s structure
- To contribute to team production targets to ensure that the vehicle is returned to the customer in a timely manner
- To follow Health and Safety and Standard Operating Procedures
- To remove and safely store and/or safely dispose of vehicle components, fluids, and gases
- To reassemble vehicles after their repair in a safe and to the required standard
- To work as part of a team to return the customer's vehicle to an acceptable factory standard by diagnosing and fixing faults
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:
- Unit C, Oxford Street Industrial Park, Vulcan Road, Bilston, WV14 7LF
- Unit D Teeside International Airport Business Park, Darlington, Durham, TS16 0TD
- Unit 1, Enfield Business Park, Enfield Industrial Estate, Redditch, B97 6DL
- Unit 4 and 5 Praetorian Place, Trowers Way, Holmethorpe Avenue,, Redhill, RH1 2LH
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
You will be working towards the Panel Technician Apprenticeship Standard over a 36-month period.
To attend all residential study blocks at the designated training provider, this will be a minimum of six weeks per year at Thatcham Research, Berkshire. Hotel accommodation, travel expenses and subsistence will be arranged by ABL 1 Touch Limited.
You will be expected to fully participate in the Apprenticeship Study programme, to apply the knowledge and skills learnt within the Bodyshop and complete all learning activities and evidence learning within the specified time frames.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade 4 or above)
- Mathematics (grade Grade 4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Ability to work under pressure
About this employer
ABL 1 Touch was established over 30 years ago, as a family-owned accident repair business offering an alternate solution to the vehicle accident repair industry, moving away from large sites, incorporating the ‘repair over replace’ ethos, it is now backed by Private Equity investment, and is rapidly increasing the number of sites throughout the UK.
https://abl1touch.com (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Celebration Day
- Healthcare Cash Plan, Gym & Retail Discounts
- Life Assurance
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted Home & Car Insurance
After this apprenticeship
There is an opportunity to apply for a permanent role at ABL 1 Touch upon successful completion of your apprenticeship standard. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, a learning and development programme will be created to enable you to develop within the company, which supports you to reach your career goals.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
AUTO BODY LANGUAGE LIMITED
Emily Leleu
eleleu@abl1touch.com
07557349655
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030747.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Friday 29 May 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.