Motor Technician Apprentice

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

Dagenham (RM10 7HX)

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 8 July 2026)

Posted on 25 June 2026

---

Summary

Passionate about vehicles? Join our Vehicle and Workshop Apprenticeship and gain real hands‑on experience repairing and servicing vehicles. Learn from experienced technicians, attend college training, and build the skills to launch your career as a motor technician.

• Wage:

  £27,008 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Apprentices are paid the London Living Wage (£14.80 per hour as of June 2026)

• Training course: Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, shifts – some flexibility with occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

  35 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 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

1.    Develop skills required to service and repair of all types of vehicles and plant to manufacturers’ specifications and LBBD policy.

2.    Understand the health and safety requirements of the workshop to support the Service Lead Fleet and Workshop and other fleet and workshop staff in the running of the workshop to ensure that it is compliant with Health and Safety Regulations. This will include understanding and adhering to risk assessments and method statements and keeping your own area of work and communal areas within the workshop clean and tidy.

3.    Be aware that many vehicles will not be clean. Refuse collection vehicles will be presented for repair containing waste and other detritus. In this situation, have due regard to personal hygiene and be prepared and able to work on these vehicles and the particular challenges, such as odour, this presents.

4.    Support Colleagues with the maintenance of the Council’s fleet. This will include assisting in the preparation of vehicles for inspection, assisting with servicing, MOT inspections, assisting colleagues, undertaking supervised repairs appropriate to the level of experience and any other work that is appropriate to the role.

5.    Independently undertake semi-skilled repairs to vehicles as directed. This will include, but not be limited to, changing bulbs, mirrors and wiper blades, jump-starting vehicles, applying livery to vehicles.

6.    As the apprenticeship progresses and skills increase, undertake more complex workshop tasks, both supervised and unsupervised, until they are able to complete all tasks required of a motor technician.

7.    To understand how to identify parts required for jobs, how to order and receive these and the difference in suppliers, impressed stock, back orders etc.

8.    Use appropriate information technology and software to carry out the responsibilities of the post.

9.    Learn the fleet and back-office aspects of the fleet and workshop department as directed including handling enquiries at the front desk, and other verbal, written or electronic instructions.

10. Work in collaboration with other colleagues and support the tasks of the whole team.

11. To complete all paperwork and documentation in a timely and compliant manner.

12.  To maintain ongoing training as directed by the training provider. To ensure that appropriate courses and examinations are completed within the agreed timescales.

13. As an apprentice, it is an essential requirement for your continued employment under the scheme to attend and engage with learning at college and/or obtain relevant qualifications.

14.  To have a ‘car’ class ‘B’ full driving licence or obtain this licence within 18months of your 17th birthday and, if over 18, be prepared to obtain the same licence within 6 months of appointment.

15. Depending on prior experience, qualifications and suitability, undertake either the Level 2 Autocare Technician apprenticeship or the Level 3 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician (Light Vehicle) apprenticeship.

a.    Entry requirements will depend on the apprenticeship standard to be undertaken and the training provider’s eligibility criteria, including English and maths requirements where applicable. These will be confirmed as part of the recruitment and enrolment process.

Where you'll work

Frizlands Lane
Dagenham
RM10 7HX

Training

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

Training provider

SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Training course

Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Contribute to the maintenance of a safe and efficient workshop. Segregate waste for disposal or recycling. Comply with industry environmental legislation.
• Demonstrate due regard for own safety and that of others in the workshop and minimise risk of injury and vehicle damage.
• Carry out fundamental tasks associated with removal and replacement procedures on a vehicle.
• Obtain diagnostic and repair information.
• Interpret diagnostic information and use electrical wiring diagrams to determine system serviceability.
• Use a range of diagnostic equipment.
• Follow recognised diagnostic procedures, logical diagnostic sequence and apply advanced diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques to establish faults.
• Report faults using company procedures and recommend suitable further actions.
• Follow recognised repair procedures to complete a wide range of repairs including those which involve complex procedures, or in depth knowledge.
• Test the function of repaired and fitted components.
• Adhere to business processes and complete documentation following workplace procedures.
• Use ICT to create emails, word-process documents and carry out web based searches.
• Complete a range of services and inspect and prepare a vehicle to the required quality standard for handover to the customer.
• Contribute to the maintenance of a safe and efficient workshop. Segregate waste for disposal or recycling. Comply with industry environmental legislation.
• Demonstrate due regard for own safety and that of others in the workshop and minimise risk of injury and vehicle damage.
• Carry out fundamental tasks associated with removal and replacement procedures on a vehicle.
• Obtain diagnostic and repair information.
• Interpret diagnostic information and use electrical wiring diagrams to determine system serviceability.
• Use a range of diagnostic equipment.
• Follow recognised diagnostic procedures, logical diagnostic sequence and apply advanced diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques to establish faults.
• Report faults using company procedures and recommend suitable further actions.
• Follow recognised repair procedures to complete a wide range of repairs including those which involve complex procedures, or in depth knowledge.
• Test the function of repaired and fitted components.
• Adhere to business processes and complete documentation following workplace procedures.
• Use ICT to create emails, word-process documents and carry out web based searches.
• Complete a range of services and inspect and prepare a vehicle to the required quality standard for handover to the customer.

Training schedule

Training will take place both in the workplace and at South Essex College, Stephenson Road Campus, Southend-on-Sea (day release). The apprentice will attend college on a regular weekly basis and spend the remaining time gaining hands‑on experience within the Council’s fleet workshop.

More training information

South Essex College will deliver the apprenticeship through a day‑release model, combining classroom sessions with workplace learning and regular reviews. The training provider will support progress, assessment planning and achievement of the apprenticeship standard.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade A - C / 4 - 9)
• Maths (grade A - C / 4 - 9)

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
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative

Other requirements

• Applicants must also be residents of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
• Be aware that many vehicles will not be clean. Refuse collection vehicles will be presented for repair containing waste and other detritus. In this situation, have due regard to personal hygiene and be prepared and able to work on these vehicles and the particular challenges, such as odour, this presents.

About this employer

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here.

Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here.

Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes.

We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help re-wild the local landscape and boost biodiversity.

Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people.

We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger.

#ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham.

As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to well-being initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.

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

Company benefits

• Flexible working, up to 30 days annual leave and Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to development, travel loans, discounted gym membership and retail, holiday and travel discounts through the Wider Wallet scheme.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Successful completion of this apprenticeship will enable individuals to work as qualified motor vehicle technicians. Candidates may be supported to secure permanent roles within the Council, subject to availability. Progression to a higher-level apprenticeship may also be available.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039144.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 8 July 2026)

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