Harwoods Five Oaks Accident Repair Centre - MET Technician Apprenticeship
HARWOODS LIMITED
Billinghurst (RH14 9AZ)
Closes in 14 days (Thursday 9 July 2026)
Posted on 25 June 2026
Contents
Summary
As part of the Volkswagen Group approved Paint and Body network, you will have the opportunity to work on a range of vehicles from Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. You will develop the skills you need to successfully refinish vehicles back to factory standards and return them to customers as good as new
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Vehicle damage mechanical, electrical and trim (MET) technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday – Friday. 0830 – 1730.
Possibility of Saturday workings and / or shifts.
Working week will be confirmed on application.
40 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
Our Mechanical, Electrical and Trim Technicians work methodically to return customer vehicles to factory standards, diagnosing and fixing faults and distributing work as required to other specialists.
Due to the high level of technology within our vehicles, you will develop skills in mechanics and electrics.
While the type of work carried out will vary according to location, some of the typical day-to-day duties include:
- Removing and fitting basic mechanical, electrical and trim components
- Removing and refitting non-structural body panels
- Removing, renewing, and refitting mechanical and electrical systems and vehicle trims following accident damage
- Carrying our vehicle inspections
- Identifying the extent of vehicle damage
- Accessing and removing damaged components
- Installing new components
- Using specialist equipment and techniques including welding and soldering to undertake repairs
An ideal MET Technician apprentice will be able to work methodically, have attention to detail and be a team player.
We are looking for people who are passionate about our industry and our brand. Some of the personal skills that you should think about showing us in your application are:
- Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
- Teamwork
- Strong communication
- Customer Service
- Interest in vehicle engineering
We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking individual to join our team and embark on a long term career, with excellent earning and progression opportunities once you complete your apprenticeship.
Where you'll work
Horsham Rd
Billinghurst
RH14 9AZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
INSPIRO LEARNING LIMITED
Training course
Vehicle damage mechanical, electrical and trim (MET) 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. disarming airbags, undertaking electrical safety precautions and conducting pre-repair diagnostics sweeps.
- Ability to interpret relevant technical data, specification and methods will enable appropriate pre-preparation prior to work being carried out.
- Ability to remove, repair and replace Engine, gearbox, suspension, mechanical and electrical systems, related autonomous items from the vehicle safely, e.g. Anti-lock Braking System units, safety restraint systems, Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) & Light Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) semi-autonomous components.
- Ability to diagnose and fix faults within a vehicle management system (on board computer) & associated electrical system.
- Ability to identify and communicate supplementary parts where required.
- Ability to identify and operate the correct repair tools, equipment and devices used in the process such as Geometry Wheel Aligners for alignment of the wheels, diagnostic hardware to establish any faults with the vehicle and establish if parts are replaced or re calibrated, utilising torque wrenches to tighten nuts/bolts to the manufacturer recommendations
- Ability to rebuild vehicles post repair and reinstate safety critical systems including Safety Restraint Systems, airbags, seat belts and pretensions, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, cameras, Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) systems and Light Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) systems including collision avoidance technology.
- Qualified in refrigerant handling to EC842 2006 or the most up to date revision of this legislative requirement to enable the repair or replacement of air condition/climate control parts such as condensers, evaporator compressor pump
Training schedule
Training will be delivered using a combination of virtual classroom remote learning and face-to-face block release weeks at our state-of-the-art training centre.
Successful applicants must be prepared to travel to the Volkswagen Group National Learning Centre, in Milton Keynes, to complete their apprenticeship training. All training-related costs are fully covered as part of the programme, including travel, accommodation, and meals.
In the workplace, your personal, dedicated mentor will support your continued learning as you apply the skills and knowledge you have gained through the remote sessions and at the Volkswagen Group National Learning Centre.
This is a fully rounded training experience where you will build life skills that last and gain both apprenticeship qualifications and brand certifications.
On successful completion of the three-year programme, you will receive the following:
- Level 3 Vehicle Damage Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET) Technician
- Brand specific certifications
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Math's (grade 4/C)
- Science (grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
Other requirements
As part of our commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, all applications are automatically anonymised by our recruitment system. This is with the aim of realising our ambition to have a workforce that is reflective of the community we serve and eliminating unconscious bias, allowing employees to be appointed based on their talent, skills and experiences regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.
English and Maths guidance from the government changed on 11th February 2025. This employer wishes to support upskilling in both English and Maths by exception and, as such, the entry grade criteria as advertised still applies.
The closing date for this vacancy is 09/07/2026 and interviews are expected to be held the week commencing 20/07/2026. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications. We therefore advise candidates to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Please do not contact the retailer directly. Inspiro Learning carries out the full recruitment service for this employer. Due to the high number of applications, we cannot provide a timescale on when you are likely to receive a response. As most of our roles are recruited for on an ongoing basis, we will contact you if you are successful at progressing to the next step. It is not possible for us to contact every applicant individually. If you have not heard back on a specific vacancy but find another opportunity that is of interest to you, we welcome an additional application.
About this employer
Volkswagen Group (VWG) is one of the UK’s largest car retailers encompassing premium brands such as Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, TPS, Volkswagen Group Paint and Body and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Our network of Volkswagen Group approved Paint and Body centres deliver a first class service to customers using teams of highly trained experts and the same paint, parts and materials that are used at our factories.
Our apprenticeship programme gives you the opportunity to become part of this network, working within an approved body shop and receiving world class training from our industry experts.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Volkswagen Group (VWG) is one of the UK’s largest car retailers encompassing premium brands such as Audi, Bentley, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, TPS, Volkswagen Group Paint and Body and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This network of retailers spans the UK, providing a wide range of career opportunities.
Once your apprenticeship is complete, you will continue your learning journey, and you will have the opportunity to drive your career forward. Some of our apprentices have gone on to become team leaders and managers within the retail network or even joined our team at Head Office in Milton Keynes.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
INSPIRO LEARNING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039324.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Thursday 9 July 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.