Vehicle Damage Panel Technician Apprentice - Penzance Crash Repair Ltd t / a Fix Auto Penzance

Introduction

As an apprentice vehicle damage panel technician, you will be repairing accident damage to vehicles, i.e., removal, repair and replacement of vehicle body panels to vehicle manufacturer specification. The vehicles can include cars and light commercial vehicles. Expect a high-quality training package with excellent career prospects.

About the Employer

Fix Auto Penzance, the southern-most repair centre in England, has been an integral element behind the constant success of the Fix Auto UK network we celebrate today since joining in early 2012. 

Founded by local businessman Stuart Cameron, while he is still very much hands on, the site is managed by his son, Joel. Spread over three inter-connected buildings which have been developed as the company has expanded over the years, Fix Auto Penzance has numerous industry awards to its credit. 

Crucially, Stuart and his team have championed various projects and investments to ensure it is as eco-friendly as possible. Having been an early adopter of solar power, for example, Fix Auto Penzance is as ‘green’ a repair centre as possible. It was one of the first bodyshops in the country to gain the hugely creditable PAS 2060 certification, awarded to those repairers who achieve a carbon neutral operating status. In 2023, EV car charging powerpoints including a fast-charging unit were installed and made available for public use. 

Situated a short drive from the centre of Penzance, the bodyshop is easily accessible within the Rospeath Industrial Estate found off the main A30 road.  

Like all Fix Auto UK vehicle repairers, the business holds the prestigious BS10125 accreditation which provides the ultimate confidence that all repairs are carried out to the highest British Standards and as such ensures all car accident repairs, dent removals, dent repairs, bumper repairs, wheel alignment and wheel tracking are repaired or rectified to the highest standards. Further to this, Fix Auto Penzance holds official manufacturer repair approvals for the following car brands; Alfa Romeo, DS, Lancia, Jeep, Abarth, Citroën, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall models. 

The team at the car body shop specialises in all car accident repairs, paintless dent removals and paintless dent repairs and effortlessly correct those annoying car scratches and door dinks caused in supermarket car parks!   

What You'll Do

• Undertake appropriate job preparation prior to commencing repair, including safety precautions, panel preparation and body measurements
• Identify the material used in the construction to enable the correct joining techniques and manufacturer specifications to be adhered 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
• Remove, repair, and replace vehicle body panels and components of the vehicle safely and efficiently
• Operate the correct repair tools, equipment and devices used in the process, panel pulling systems, jig and alignment tools, spot welders, brazing tools
• 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
• Maintaining high standards of housekeeping

Training Outcome

• Following completion of your apprenticeship you can expect permanent employment as well as opportunities to progress into roles such as workshop controller, vehicle damage assessor or Bodyshop manager 
• The opportunities are endless, having a highly regarded set of skills, apprentices can go on to develop their careers within the automotive sector following their own interests and ambitions

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - English GCSE - Grade 4/C or above
• Essential - GCSE - Maths GCSE - Grade 4/C or above

Course Information

Course: Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)

Level: 3

Route: Engineering and manufacturing

Apprenticeship Level: Advanced

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Typically, 8.30am - 5.00pm Monday - Friday (30 minutes lunch break).

Expected Duration: 2 Years 6 Months

Training Provider: AUTO-ASSESS LIMITED