Vehicle Damage Panel Technician (St0403) Level 3 Apprenticeship

39 months

TBC – depending on location, year and start

The apprentice can start employment anytime. However, if they are being employed as an apprentice, they cannot start employment until the apprenticeship starts.

Knowledge

• Motor vehicle chassis and body alignment, e.g. underbody measurement and its impact on suspension and steering geometry
• Vehicle body types, panel identification, safety systems, materials and alternative fue
• Use of Body Panel Repair tools, equipment and devices used in the process e.g. alignment jigs, resistance welding equipment, riveting and bonding tools
• Removal and replacement of body panels and associated parts e.g. mechanically fixed components, chemically fixed components
• Interpretation of technical data for joining techniques and replacement panels
• Quality control process and the implications of poor quality
• Knowledge of key process for vehicle panel repair such as Welding utilising either Tungsten, Inert Gas (TIG) and Metal, Inert Gas (MIG) & brazing along with spot welding, riveting utilising self-piercing rivets and utilising panel adhesive bonding as specified by the manufacturer
• Health & Safety and compliance requirements of the bodyshop industry
• Their direct commercial productivity and efficiency impact of their role within the whole repair process. E.g, understanding the cost of mistakes and the need for accuracy. The impact of rework on resources and reputation.

Skills

• 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

Behaviours

• Use all the knowledge and skills developed to carry out tasks in a safe and efficient manner, complying with all business operating procedures and policies
• Operate as an effective team member and take responsibility, be honest and accountable when things go wrong, tracking their own progress and informing others if deadlines are at risk
• Proactively find opportunities to learn about the wider business.
• Commitment to customer service and meeting deadlines by being flexible with their time and willingness to engage on tasks outside of their job role to ensure goals are met
• Take responsibility for personal and professional development, keeping knowledge and skills up to date with emerging technology to perform the role effectively
• Anticipate problems and put steps in place to avoid them, where problems do occur explore and address the cause
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate

Candidates should demonstrate an interest in the occupation as well as an ability to work in an organised and methodical way to identify and solve problems; also demonstrate an ability to communicate both orally and in writing to a level 3 standard.

Candidates will also need to have some industry experience or a level 2 qualification in this area.

Apprentices will need a minimum of level 1 in Maths and English. Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking their apprenticeship end-point assessment.

Employers need to ensure they can provide regular weekly exposure to all of the skills and behaviours set out in the standard.

• Portfolio
• Knowledge test
• Professional discussion
• Skills test

Students completing this apprenticeship will be fully qualified to work in the industry.

Equipment
Steel toe cap boots, overalls or work wear.

This course is available at our Bedford College, Brunel Road Campus.

For more information, please visit here:
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/vehicle-damage-panel-technician-v1-2