Accident Repair Technician Apprenticeship Level 3 @ Southport, Preston, Penrith Repair Centre
The Vella Group
Penrith, Preston, UK
Closes in 9 days (Friday 25 September 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 16 September 2026
Contents
Summary
The Vella Group are currently recruiting Accident Repair Technician Apprentices to join their team at Southport Preston and Penrith. This is an excellent opportunity to earn while you learn within the Automotive Industry.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Accident repair technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, times to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 12 October 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- Positions available
-
3
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 Accident Repair Technician, you will repair all elements of a vehicle after it has been involved in a collision. These range from small damage through to heavily impacted types of damage requiring complex and detailed repair or replacement of major structural elements of the vehicle
- Typically, the Accident Repair Technician works in a modern, highly technical workshop-type environment, working on a broad range of vehicles, from cars and car-derived vans to light commercial vehicles
- Uniquely, an Accident Repair Technician will work on and obtain a level of competence in all craft aspects of vehicle accident repair, including Mechanical, Electrical & Trim (MET); Panel Repair & Replacement; Preparation and Paint
- The Accident Repair Technician from day one embraces the need to put complete customer satisfaction, as well as commercial awareness, at the centre of everything they do. The ability to excel whilst working within a team is a key output for any Accident Repair Technician
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 56, Gilwilly Road, Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith, CA11 9BL
- Chain Caul Way, Ashton-On-Ribble, Preston, PR2 2YL
- 118a Cemetery Road, Southport, UK, PR8 5EG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
Training course
Accident repair technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Identify and apply techniques to document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Apply techniques to plan work activities.
- Identify and apply techniques to organise and use resources with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Apply sustainability principles.
- Read and interpret information. For example, text, data, engineering drawings, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, permits to work, instructions.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Apply techniques to record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Apply techniques to test the function of repaired, fitted and associate components.
- Applies stock control techniques to check, replenish and complete returns.
- Identify and apply techniques to resolve problems encountered during the accident repair process.
- Apply techniques to report issues and problems which cannot be resolved.
- Apply techniques to operate electrical and electronic control systems such as programmable logic control systems, electrical and electronic relay systems, and electronic drive systems.
- Use diagnostic tools for fault finding, such as multi-meters and electronic diagnostic tools.
- Apply techniques to remove damaged and associated mechanical components from a vehicle.
- Apply techniques to re-assemble and replace existing mechanical components to a vehicle.
- Apply techniques to remove and refit trim components.
- Apply techniques to fit electrical components and systems.
- Diagnose and apply techniques to rectify vehicle electrical faults.
- Apply techniques to diagnose, remove, replace and recalibrate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) systems and components.
- Apply techniques to remove, repair and replace non-structural body panels.
- Apply techniques to repair and refurbish trim components.
- Apply techniques to remove, repair and replace structural body panels excluding chassis legs and related components.
- Apply techniques to identify and rectify vehicle body misalignment.
- Apply body filler and foundation materials.
- Apply techniques to prepare and refinish metal, plastic, and pre-painted surfaces.
- Apply paint, primer, and base coats.
- Apply topcoats and clear coats. Complete final refinishing operations.
- Identify and apply techniques to rectify paint and preparation defects including smart repair technologies, and Paintless Dent Removal (PDR).
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion principles.
- Apply mechanical and non-mechanical joining techniques.
- Apply techniques to record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Communicate in writing.
- Identify and apply techniques to rectify wheel misalignment (two-wheel and four-wheel).
- Identify and apply techniques to document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Apply techniques to plan work activities.
- Identify and apply techniques to organise and use resources with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Apply sustainability principles.
- Read and interpret information. For example, text, data, engineering drawings, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, permits to work, instructions.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Apply techniques to record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Apply techniques to test the function of repaired, fitted and associate components.
- Applies stock control techniques to check, replenish and complete returns.
- Identify and apply techniques to resolve problems encountered during the accident repair process.
- Apply techniques to report issues and problems which cannot be resolved.
- Apply techniques to operate electrical and electronic control systems such as programmable logic control systems, electrical and electronic relay systems, and electronic drive systems.
- Use diagnostic tools for fault finding, such as multi-meters and electronic diagnostic tools.
- Apply techniques to remove damaged and associated mechanical components from a vehicle.
- Apply techniques to re-assemble and replace existing mechanical components to a vehicle.
- Apply techniques to remove and refit trim components.
- Apply techniques to fit electrical components and systems.
- Diagnose and apply techniques to rectify vehicle electrical faults.
- Apply techniques to diagnose, remove, replace and recalibrate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) systems and components.
- Apply techniques to remove, repair and replace non-structural body panels.
- Apply techniques to repair and refurbish trim components.
- Apply techniques to remove, repair and replace structural body panels excluding chassis legs and related components.
- Apply techniques to identify and rectify vehicle body misalignment.
- Apply body filler and foundation materials.
- Apply techniques to prepare and refinish metal, plastic, and pre-painted surfaces.
- Apply paint, primer, and base coats.
- Apply topcoats and clear coats. Complete final refinishing operations.
- Identify and apply techniques to rectify paint and preparation defects including smart repair technologies, and Paintless Dent Removal (PDR).
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion principles.
- Apply mechanical and non-mechanical joining techniques.
- Apply techniques to record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Communicate in writing.
- Identify and apply techniques to rectify wheel misalignment (two-wheel and four-wheel).
Training schedule
Apprentices will work towards completing the Level 3 Accident Repair Technician apprenticeship programme, which includes:
- Vehicle accident repair – including Mechanical, Electrical & Trim (MET), Panel Repair & Replacement, Preparation and Paint, Hybrid / Electric Vehicle Level 2, F-Gas, Welding
- Vella Group dedicated professional Technical Trainers who support with Apprentices development
- You may also be required to complete Functional Skills in English, Maths, and IT (dependent on previous or provisional GCSE qualifications or equivalent)
More training information
Please highlight the Vella Service Centre you are applying for on your application.
- Course duration 24-36 months Applicants will display a good attitude, a positive approach to learning & development and a high level of ambition. Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment
- Please note that this apprenticeship includes block release college attendance at Blackpool & The Fylde College for 1 week every approx. 8-10 weeks
- Your accommodation will be provided on site at our Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
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
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
The Vella Group is one of the UK's leading independent accident repair groups with body shops located across the country. We are vehicle repair experts with a reputation built on quality, reliability, and excellence in service. You can have total peace of mind that our technicians will repair your vehicle to the highest standards and get you back on the road quickly and safely after an accident.
https://www.thevellagroup.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
There are many incentives as an apprentice with The Vella Group such as:
- Free company uniform - including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with safety boots
- 25 days paid holiday per year
- Excellent starting apprenticeship wage of £8.00 per hour
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
A full-time position will be available on successful completion of the apprenticeship with future career development.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
apprenticeships@blackpool.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053781.
Apply now
Closes in 9 days (Friday 25 September 2026 at 11:59pm)