The automotive retail industry provides employment for over half a million employees who work for approximately 70,000 employers. It is a major contributor to the UK economy and with the growing complexity of today's vehicles, and the pressure to deliver a high-quality customer experience, requires the retail automotive sector to attract and train high calibre individuals.
A motor vehicle service and maintenance technician services and repairs light vehicles such as cars and vans and works either in dealerships which focus on a particular manufacturer, or in an independent garage which deals with many different makes of vehicles.
The technician will work on all the systems found within the vehicle. The day-to-day work ranges from replacing simple parts through to solving complex faults with the use of diagnostic methods and equipment. The tasks faced are constantly changing, driven by the introduction of ever more complex technologies and diagnostic techniques.
The technician must be able to work independently but also operate as an effective team member and have good customer handling skills. They will understand how their workshop and the dealership/garage functions from a commercial perspective and identify ways in which they can work more efficiently.
In smaller garages the technician will report directly to the owner or garage manager and may be called upon to carry out some of the function of the other departments themselves, for example managing their own delivery of parts.
In a large dealership the technician will typically report to the workshop controller, who in turn reports to the aftersales manager and liaises with the service reception. Technicians working in large dealerships work with other departments, for example carrying out work for the sales department and ordering parts from the parts department
Entry requirements will be determined by individual employers, however applicants are expected to have an interest in the motor vehicle industry, demonstrate general analytical and mechanical skills, have a capacity for mechanical reasoning, potential to solve problems, attention to detail, good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
CORE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND BEHAVIOUR REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE
Apprentices will develop knowledge and understanding of:
SKILLS
Apprentices will gain skills enabling them to:
BEHAVIOUR
Apprentices will demonstrate the following behaviours:
Throughout the programme the apprentice will receive expert training from highly qualified staff A qualified assessor will provide an induction and regular workplace assessments
Full-time employment in the sector
Flexible dates
Full Time Programme Component