Apprentice Vehicle Damage Panel Technician
FMG REPAIR SERVICES LIMITED
Devon (EX5 2LJ)
Closes in 30 days (Monday 2 November 2026)
Posted on 2 October 2026
Contents
Summary
You’ll learn a range of technical skills, gain hands-on experience across multiple disciplines, and receive ongoing support to help you succeed. After completing the apprenticeship, you may have the opportunity to continue with the company in a permanent role and develop your career as a Vehicle Damage Panel Technician.
- Wage
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£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£8.50 per hour in year 1, rising to the national wage for your age from year 2
- Training course
- Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday (Varied between 08:00- 17:00)
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 December 2026
- Duration
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3 years
- Positions available
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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
As an Apprentice Vehicle Damage Panel Technician, you’ll assist and learn across a variety of tasks in the bodyshop, including:
- Repairing, removing and replacing vehicle body panels to manufacturer standards
- Learning to repair both structural and non-structural vehicle damage
- Carrying out panel alignment and using a range of repair techniques, including welding, bonding and mechanical fastening
- Following approved repair methods to ensure repairs meet quality and safety standards
- Maintaining tools, equipment and a clean, safe working environment
- Working alongside experienced technicians while developing your practical skills
- Communicating effectively with your team and contributing to a positive working environment
Where you'll work
Exeter Airport
Exeter
Devon
EX5 2LJ
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
- Block-release training with an apprenticeship provider every six weeks
- On-the-job guidance from an experienced team and allocated workplace mentor
- Visits from a training provider coach every 6–8 weeks
- Additional support from a RETAIN Manager at Apprenticeship Central
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade 4/C or above)
- Maths (grade Grade 4/C 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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
About this employer
FMG Repair Services is one of the UK’s leading and largest group of accident repair centres. Offering quality, speed and value for all aspects of vehicle repair, you will find us in or near most cities in the UK.
Our business isn’t just about fixing cars – it’s about caring for customers, getting their vehicles back on the road with the minimum amount of fuss and the maximum amount of care.
Company benefits
- 23 days annual leave and an extra day off to celebrate your birthday!
Free life assurance (x2 your basic salary)
Pension & save-as-you-earn share scheme
Well-being services (incl. 24/7 GP service, mental health support and physiotherapy + Health Cash Plan, Dental Plan & Travel Insurance)
Stream App for all our colleagues – a Financial Wellbeing app that gives you more control over your pay.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
After completing the apprenticeship, you may have the opportunity to continue with the company in a permanent role and develop your career as a Vehicle Damage Panel Technician.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THATCHAM RESEARCH
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000055829.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Monday 2 November 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.