Apprentice Paint Technician

AUTO BODY LANGUAGE LIMITED

Aylesford, Basildon, Hook, Kent

Closes in 21 days (Friday 29 May 2026)

Posted on 8 May 2026

Print

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 Paint Technician who will support your learning at work.

Wage

£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary is dependent upon age and skills and will be reviewed every 6 months against Apprenticeship performance criteria. There will be an opportunity to join the company bonus scheme.

Training course
Vehicle damage paint technician (level 3)
Hours
Normal opening hours are Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 5.30pm, 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

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

1 year

Positions available

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 Paint Technician, you will gain the knowledge and skills so you can prepare vehicles for painting after any damaged panel sections have been repaired or replaced. You need to ensure that all paint work matches the existing panels and the vehicle has been returned to factory standards.

Core duties include:

  • To support the repair and return of customer’s vehicles to their purchased and factory standard following an accident
  • 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 re-assemble vehicles after their repair safely and to the required standard
  • To ensure that all parts are stripped from the vehicle so it can be painted
  • To sand down the area which needs to be repaired and to sound down the adjourning area so it can be blended
  • To mask out the areas which need to be treated and painted
  • To select matching colours using the manufacturer’s approved colour palette
  • To spray and paint panels/vehicle parts using a variety of techniques to ensure a factory standard finish

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 12B, C &D, Mills Road, Quarry Wood, Aylesford, ME20 7NA
  • Unit 4, Kierbeck Business Park, Wharf Lane, Vange, Basildon, SS16 4SW
  • Unit 9, Bartley Junction, Bartley Way, Hook, RG27 9UL
  • Leacon Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 4GZ

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

  • You will be working towards the Vehicle Damage (Paint) Technician Apprenticeship Standard over a 24-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
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • 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://careers.abl1touch.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Celebration Day
  • Healthcare Cash Plan, Gym & Retail Discounts
  • Engagement Budgets
  • 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 develop within the company which supports you to reach your careers 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 VAC2000030772.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Friday 29 May 2026)

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