Vehicle Panel(Body Repair) apprenticeship vacancy at Steer Automotive Group (Chelmsford)

STEER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LIMITED

Chelmsford (CM1 3AE)

Closes on Tuesday 31 March 2026

Posted on 7 January 2026

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Summary

As our Apprentice Vehicle Panel Technician, you will gain the technical knowledge and practical skills to safely repair accident damaged vehicles to manufacturers specifications while being provided with the support, guidance and training needed to progress your career further.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.30pm, inclusive of 1 x 30 minute lunch break.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 6 April 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

  • Dismantling vehicles for repair and checking parts removed whilst doing so
  • Marking all displaced parts and ensuring they are stored safe and securely
  • Reporting extra parts needed to Workshop Controller/Estimator
  • Complete quality check sheet
  • Carrying out repair as per job card and repair methods and completing necessary quality check sheet
  • Jig and pull if required or requested
  • Set up welding equipment correctly as per repair methods
    Aligning panels
  • Use correct body fillers and tooling for repair
  • Test fitting vehicle components during and after repair
  • Attend all training courses and ensure that all work set is kept up to date and an accurate training log is kept working closely with other members of the workshop team to continually learn and share knowledge

Where you'll work

38 Hanbury Rd
Chelmsford
CM1 3AE

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

  • IMI ( Institute of the motor industry) Level 3 Vehicle Panel apprenticeship standard
  • Thatcham Academy will deliver the training
  • Thatcham Training for technical requirements will be 12 x 1 week blocks during the 36 month apprenticeship
  • Practical training available on-site during your working week

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade 4)
  • Mathematics (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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

About this employer

Steer Automotive Group are one of the fastest growing and progressive Accident Repair Groups in the UK, with sustained growth and continuous investment in the latest technology and training. This role will be an integral part of the site and you will be trained to work to the highest standards and develop a commitment to complete quality from start to finish.

http://www.steer.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

There are many potential career paths and opportunities within Steer automotive Group and their 100+ accident repair centres.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THATCHAM RESEARCH

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000007413.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 31 March 2026