Apprentice Panel Technician
S J Cook & Sons Accident Repair Centre
Bristol (BS16 7FG)
Closes in 28 days (Monday 13 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 15 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Join our team as a Vehicle Damage Panel Technician! Work in our workshop removing and replacing vehicle body panels, ensuring high-quality repairs on cars and light commercial vehicles. Perfect for those passionate about cars and starting a career in the automotive industry.
- Wage
-
£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday
8:15am- 17:00pm
Friday
8am- 17:00pm
Lunch Break:
1 hour
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 27 July 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
This is an excellent opportunity to work as part of a highly skilled team that is committed to quality. You will train to become a qualified Vehicle Damage Panel Technician; the successful candidate can expect a high-quality training package with excellent career prospects. You will work independently and as part of a team following a defined process, using the skills to correctly identify the different body panel types and have the ability to use the correct repair tools to carry out the work to the highest possible standard.
You will receive training and support throughout your qualification the successful candidate will learn to remove, repair and replace vehicle body panels and components of the vehicle safely and efficiently, using a variety of body repair panel tools, equipment and devices. Duties to include:
- Assessing a vehicle to establish the extent of damage
- Based on the initial assessment, deciding whether to repair or replace bodywork
- Removing damaged panels
- Refitting new/repaired panels
- Repairing damaged bodywork using traditional dolly and hammer or more modern techniques
- Repairing small dents, holes or corroded areas using a compound filler
A certain amount of administration and customer interaction is also required:
- Keeping a record of work carried out and time taken.
- Liaising with the customer or insurance company
- Providing quotations and estimations
Where you'll work
Unit 201
Longmead Road, Emersons Green
Bristol
BS16 7FG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
S & B AUTOMOTIVE ACADEMY LIMITED
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
The apprenticeship training is delivered via weekly block releases at S&B throughout a year, learning will also take place in the workplace and a S&B Development Coach and Workplace Mentor are allocated to support and monitor your progress to help you reach your goals and manage your workload. Your employer will pay you when you are attending weekly training blocks at S&B.
More training information
S&B Automotive Academy is a specialist apprenticeship training provider located in Bedminster, Bristol. Whether you're seeking to kickstart your career in the automotive industry or business industry, S&B Automotive Academy is your go-to partner for excellence in training!
S&B has been training apprentices since the 1970’s and are one of the largest training providers in the Automotive and Business sector. We pride ourselves on our collaboration with a wide range of employers.
To be considered for this apprenticeship you must have GCSEs, Functional Skills or Key Skills at grade C/4 or above in English and maths (or equivalent), If your grades are below this, we will discuss your options for taking functional skills in maths and/or English. As well as this, predicated grades are accepted, and work experience or knowledge is beneficial but not essential.
As a result you will receive the following:
- Level 3 Vehicle Damage Panel Technician Apprenticeship Standard
- Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if a GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent has not already been achieved)
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3)
- Maths (grade 3)
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
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Initiative
About this employer
Welcome to S J Cook & Sons Accident Repair Centre, state-of-the-art repair facility serving Bristol and beyond. From our location at Emersons Green on the Bristol ring road, we offer a dedicated and comprehensive accident repair service, tailored to the needs of our valued customers.
Our well-equipped repair centre has invested in the latest technology which includes water-based paint and infrared drying systems. We also have a fast-track smart repair facility, which efficiently and professionally restores bodywork damaged by minor scrapes and bumps, thereby minimizing the amount of time our customers’ cars are off the road.
Our expertise, combined with our insurance company and manufacturer approvals, make us the repair centre of choice for vehicles belonging to the local council and Avon and Somerset police, as well as for private individuals and small businesses.
We only provide repair work of excellent quality; as evidenced by the British Standard Kite Mark which covers all of our bodywork repairs. Additionally, our skilled panel and paint technicians are trained to the highest level, having all achieved senior ATA qualifications.
Customer care is of paramount importance to us.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- As a company we are committed to providing development and training opportunities to our employees
- This apprenticeship is the grounding for your future development and there are lots of opportunities to develop your career within our company
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
S & B AUTOMOTIVE ACADEMY LIMITED
David Watts
dwatts@sandbaa.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037294.
Apply now
Closes in 28 days (Monday 13 July 2026 at 11:59pm)