Key information
Location:
Nationwide Opportunities
Duration:
36 months
Qualification:
Vehicle Damage Panel Technician (Level 3) with Ford Learn Certified Pathway Training and additional CPD Pathway Recognition into Adult Training.
Entry Requirements:
GCSE (or equivalent) grade A*-C or 9-4 in Maths and English. Predicted grades are accepted, provided the final results meet the required standards.
Job role
Restoring Ford Excellence: Vehicle Damage Panel Technician Apprenticeship
At Ford, every vehicle is engineered to the highest standards of safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal. The Vehicle Damage Paint or Panel Technician is pivotal in upholding this promise, working within our cutting-edge Body Repair workshops. Your role will be to demonstrate expert working knowledge in the meticulous removal, repair, preparation, painting, and replacement of vehicle body panels, always adhering precisely to Ford’s manufacturer specifications.
In a rapidly evolving automotive landscape, our Paint and Panel Technicians remain at the forefront of the industry. You’ll continuously update your skills with the most relevant equipment and advanced repair techniques, guided by manufacturer literature and essential modification bulletins. This commitment ensures you’re always working with the latest innovations.
You’ll gain hands-on experience with an impressive array of specialist equipment, including advanced jigs, precision resistance welding tools, and modern riveting and bonding apparatus. Furthermore, you’ll utilise cutting-edge technologies such as Reinforced Plastic Carbon Fibre diagnostic ultrasound tools and state-of-the-art repair principles and paint procedures, all while strictly maintaining Ford’s rigorous safety protocols.
Your mission as a Ford Vehicle Damage Paint or Panel Technician Apprentice will include:
- Precision Tooling: Proficiently using a comprehensive range of specialist tools for diagnosis and repair.
- Panel Craftsmanship: Expertly undertaking panel repair and replacement, ensuring structural integrity and flawless alignment.
- Integrated Systems (MET): Skillfully managing Mechanical, Electrical, and Trim components during repair processes.
- Surface Perfection: Meticulously smoothing minor dents and filling small holes or rusted areas to prepare surfaces for a pristine finish.
- Quality Documentation: Maintaining accurate and detailed records of all completed work, upholding our commitment to transparency and quality.
- Refinishing Excellence: Executing precise preparation and painting procedures to restore vehicle aesthetics to original Ford standards.
- SMART Repair Mastery: Developing expertise in Small to Medium Area Repair Techniques (SMART repairs) and wheel refurbishment, ensuring efficient and high-quality localized repairs.
We’re seeking ambitious candidates ready to take ownership of their development, work diligently to achieve their potential, and grow with a global automotive employer that sets the benchmark for quality and innovation. If you’re driven to master a vital craft and contribute to the enduring quality of Ford vehicles, then this is your opportunity to Go Further with Ford.
Future prospects
There are lots of opportunities to develop your career; from short to long term. Your early development is carefully mapped through your Apprenticeship journey with your learning focussed toward achieving an industry recognised qualification that’s recognised across the Motor Industry.
This is the grounding for your future development within the network and opportunities exist, once qualified, to further develop your skills and to move into new roles.
Applications open all year round…
Learn more
A typical working week could be 40 hours Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm, however each of our Ford Dealers will have different requirements.
All learners will be required to work the minimum apprenticeship duration of 30 hours per week. At least 20% of your working hours will be allocated to ‘off-the-job’ training. We’ll support you to understand the working hours during the recruitment process.
All of our opportunities receive a really good response and so we’re looking for you to demonstrate why you stand out from the crowd. We’re not looking for the finished article; rather we want to identify those people that are ambitious and demonstrate a willingness to learn, who are excited by the prospect of working with our fantastic, technologically advanced vehicles, and really engage in the recruitment process.
We are committed to supporting our Apprentice’s technical, employability, and broader personal development skills, to ensure they can progress and develop their career. When it comes to selecting the right people to become apprentices, it’s as much about attitude as it is about vocational and academic success. That’s why in addition to the qualifications we require from you, we’ll also look for you to possess the following key behaviours. From problem-solving abilities to an enthusiasm for our industry, these are all attributes that will be vital in your role and they will be assessed throughout the application process.
- Logical and creative thinking skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and to take responsibility
- Can use own initiative
- A thorough and organised approach
- Ability to work with a range of internal and external people
- Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of situations
- Maintain productive, professional and secure working environment
Age: 16+
Prior Attainment: GCSE (or equivalent) grade A*-C or 9-4 in Maths and English. Predicted grades are accepted, provided the final results meet the required standards.
In Scotland, applicants must have or be predicted to achieve National 4 or above in English and Maths and either a Science or Technical subject. Standard Grades 1-4 and Intermediates are also accepted.
‘Equivalent’ grades include:
- BTEC first diplomas and certificates
- OCR Nationals
- Key Skills Level 2
- NVQs
- Essential Skills (Wales)
- Functional Skills Level 2
- Core Skills (Scotland)
Your application will be assessed by the Recruitment Team against the entry requirements specified for the role.
Once you’ve applied, you should receive an update via email within 5 working days outlining the next steps. If you haven’t heard from us after this time, it’s likely that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
If you are successful in your application you will be invited to participate in a short telephone interview. From then, candidates will be shortlisted, and your application will be progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process.
Finally, candidates are invited to meet with their local Ford Dealer in the form of a face-to-face interview. This may extend to a second interview and in some cases a working trial.
If you’re unsure or would like to follow up, feel free to contact us at apprenticeships@calexuk.com
We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group and appointment will be based on merit alone. Being committed to equal opportunities, if you have a disability please state this during the application process. Measures will be put in place to support you through your application and apprenticeship journey.
Our Dealers dictate the remuneration that our learners receive. All Dealers are required to pay National Apprenticeship Wage or National Minimum Wage dependant on length of apprenticeship / age.
More information about the minimum wage for apprentices can be found on the Government website at:
https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
Apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that’s part of their apprenticeship.
For more information about the opportunity or to discuss your application, please contact the Recruitment Team on apprenticeships@calexuk.com.