Key information
Location:
Nationwide Opportunities
Duration:
24 months
Qualification:
Vehicle Damage Paint 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
Precision & Polish: Ford Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprenticeship
At Ford, every detail matters. The Vehicle Damage Paint Technician plays a crucial role in restoring the aesthetic excellence and integrity of our vehicles following collisions or incidents. Working within the motor industry’s body repair sector, your mission will be to meticulously prepare, spray, and finish cars and light commercial vehicles, ensuring every repair meets Ford’s exacting standards for colour match and flawless finish. This critical work is typically undertaken within a state-of-the-art collision repair workshop, often alongside a fully qualified Paint Technician who will guide your development.
This is more than just a job; it’s a deep dive into the art and science of automotive refinishing. You’ll master the precise preparation required before painting, including expert masking, thorough sanding, and all necessary groundwork to achieve a perfect base.
You’ll also be responsible for maintaining all company tools and equipment to a safe, clean, and workable condition, with a keen focus on reducing any potential hazards, ensuring an optimal working environment.
Your role will encompass comprehensive repair, meticulous surface preparation, and precise painting, strictly adhering to manufacturer paint specifications. You’ll learn to follow defined processes to restore vehicles to a high-quality paint finish, demonstrating expert colour identification and selecting the correct materials – from primers and base coats to lacquers. You’ll gain proficiency in applying these using advanced spray equipment and utilising modern drying and curing techniques such as Ultra Violet (UV), Infrared, and catalytic solutions, all integral to modern vehicle refinishing. Throughout, you’ll be trained to work efficiently, safely, and with a strong focus on waste reduction.
Key duties of a Ford Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprentice will include:
- Tool Mastery: Proficiently using a comprehensive range of specialist tools and equipment.
- Application Expertise: Skilfully mixing and applying primers and colour coats using professional spray guns and equipment.
- Flawless Finish: Polishing painted panels to a mirror-like finish using advanced polishing machines.
- Meticulous Documentation: Maintaining accurate records of all completed work, upholding our commitment to quality and transparency.
We’re seeking ambitious individuals with a keen eye for detail and a dedication to craftsmanship. If you’re ready to take ownership of your development, work diligently to achieve your potential, and grow within a global automotive brand that sets the standard for quality, 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.