The content of these Pathways have been agreed by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). These are the only apprenticeship Pathways in the Automotive, Transport & Logistics sector approved for use in Wales that are eligible for Welsh Government funding.
Learning Programme Content
The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:
- Qualifications,
- Essential Skills
- On/off the job training
The total minimum credit value required for the:
Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Repair is 202 credits.
Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Refinishing is 166 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the:
Level 3: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Repair is 201 credits
Level 3: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Refinishing is 211 credits.
Entry requirements
Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint – Body Repair/Body Refinishing
Apprenticeships are seen as a vital route to attract a greater diversity of individuals into the industry, therefore, entry conditions to this Pathway have been made extremely flexible. Most employers are especially interested in applicants who can demonstrate:
- A positive, “can do” attitude and a willingness to work hard;
- Good communication skills on which this Apprenticeship will build;
- An understanding of the importance to the business of providing excellent customer service at all times.
These Pathways will require good manual dexterity and will involve handling heavy equipment, also spending long periods standing.
Applicants may have a range of differing experiences, achievements and/or qualifications.
Examples of entry requirements that employers may look for include:
- Previous work experience or employment, supported by a portfolio of evidence; or
- Voluntary or community based work; or
- Proof of completion of non-accredited courses; or
- Achievement of Awards, Certificates or Diplomas; or
- Any of the Essential Skills Wales or Wider Key Skills; or
- Achievement of Principal Learning Qualification in Retail Business which has automotive retail content, Manufacturing & Product Design or Engineering as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate; or
- Welsh Baccalaureate – any level; or
- GCSEs in English, Maths and Science.
Level 3: Vehicle Body and Paint – Body Repair/Body Refinishing
There is no additional requirements to the Level 2 guide for employers for THE Level 3
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Repair
Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Repair Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Body Competence | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IMI | C00/0274/5 500/9686/2 | 101 | 1010 | Competence | English Only |
| City & Guilds | C00/0983/7 501/0022/1 | 101 | 1010 | Competence | English Only |
| Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Body Principles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IMI | C00/0273/0 500/9689/8 | 81 | 810 | Knowledge | English Only |
| City & Guilds | C00/0203/8 501/0016/6 | 81 | 810 | Knowledge | English Only |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Repair | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1 | 6 |
| Application of number | 1 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 1 | 6 |
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Repair | 910 | 1048 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
|
Total minimum credits: 202 credits, representing: Competence: 101 credits; Knowledge: 81 credits: The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Repair L2 Apprenticeship is 1958.
|
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Refinishing
Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Refinishing Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Competence | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IMI | C00/0274/7 500/9690/4 | 81 | 810 | Competence | English Only |
| Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Principles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IMI | C00/0273/7 500/9821/4 | 65 | 650 | Knowledge | English Only |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Refinishing | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1 | 6 |
| Application of number | 1 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 1 | 6 |
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2: Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Refinishing | 695 | 888 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Total minimum credits: 166 credits, representing:
Competence: 81 credits;
Knowledge: 65 credits:
The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Vehicle Body and Paint - Body Refinishing L2 Apprenticeship is 1583.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 3: Body and Paint – Body Repair
Level 3: Body and Paint – Body Repair Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Body Competence | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IMI | C00/0274/9 500/9692/8 | 104 | 1040 | Competence | English Only |
| City & Guilds | C00/0984/4 500/9991/7 | 104 | 1040 | Competence | English Only |
| Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Body Principles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IMI | C00/0274/1 500/9809/3 | 77 | 770 | Knowledge | English Only |
| City & Guilds | C00/0893/4 501/0618/1 | 77 | 770 | Knowledge | English Only |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Body and Paint – Body Repair | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 2 | 6 |
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Body and Paint – Body Repair | 905 | 998 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Total minimum credits: 201 credits, representing:
Competence: 104 credits;
Knowledge: 77 credits:
The total amount of learning hours with includes both on and off-the-job training for the Body and Paint – Body Repair Apprenticeship is 1903.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 3: Body and Paint – Body Refinishing
Level 3: Body and Paint – Body Refinishing Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Competence | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IMI | C00/0275/9 500/9822/6 | 108 | 1080 | Competence | English Only |
| City & Guilds | C00/0984/2 500/9988/7 | 108 | 1080 | Competence | English only |
| Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IMI | C00/0273/4 500/9688/6 | 83 | 830 | Knowledge | English only |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Body and Paint – Body Refinishing | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 2 | 6 |
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Body and Paint – Body Refinishing | 915 | 1028 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Total minimum credits: 211 credits, representing:
Competence: 108 credits;
Knowledge: 83 credits:
The total amount of learning hours with includes both on and off-the-job training for the Body and Paint – Body Refinishing is 1943.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits/60 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Other additional requirements
These Pathways will require good manual dexterity and will involve handling heavy equipment, also spending long periods standing.
Progression
Progression from the Level 2 Apprenticeship:
Body Repair:
Jobs:
- On completion of this Foundation Apprenticeship (Level 2), apprentices will be competent to work as a Panel Technician;
- following further training and development, apprentices can progress to a range of jobs such as a Senior Panel Technician, Body Shop Adviser or Service Adviser.
Apprenticeships:
- Apprenticeship (Level 3) in Vehicle Body and Paint;
- Apprenticeship (Level 3) in Vehicle Damage Assessment;
- Apprenticeship (Level 3) in another part of the Automotive Retail Industry such as Vehicle Parts or Vehicle Maintenance & Repair.
Further Education:
Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Body Principles;
- Level 3 Diploma for Assessors of Accident Damaged Vehicles
Body Refinishing:
Jobs:
- on completion of this Foundation Apprenticeship (Level 2), apprentices will be competent to work as a Paint Technician;
- Following further training and development, apprentices can progress to a range of jobs such as Senior Paint Technician, Body Shop Adviser, Service Adviser or Fleet Controller.
Apprenticeships:
- Apprenticeship (Level 3) in Vehicle Body and Paint;
- Apprenticeship (Level 3) in another part of the Automotive Retail Industry such as Vehicle Parts or Vehicle Maintenance & Repair;
Further Education:
- Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles;
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles.
Progression from the Level 3 Apprenticeship:
Body Repair:
Jobs:
Following completion of this Apprenticeship (Level 3), apprentices will be competent to work as a Senior Panel Technician; following further training and development, apprentices can progress to a range of jobs such as Workshop Controller, Bodyshop Manager or Service Manager.
Apprenticeships:
- Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair;
- Higher Apprenticeship (Level 5) in Automotive Leadership and Management.
Further and Higher Education:
- after further training and development onto a Foundation degree for example, in Automotive Engineering or Automotive Technology;
- OR onto Higher Education (HE) programmes such as MEng and BEng programmes in Automotive.
Body Refinishing:
Jobs:
Following further training and development, apprentices can progress to a range of jobs such as Workshop Controller, Bodyshop Manager or Service Manager.
Apprenticeships:
- Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
- Higher Apprenticeship (Level 5) in Automotive Leadership and Management.
Further and Higher Education:
- after further training and development onto a Foundation degree for example, in Automotive Engineering or Automotive Technology;
- OR onto Higher Education (HE) programmes such as MEng and BEng programmes in Automotive.
Equality and diversity
It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.
The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.
Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.
The Automotive Retail Industry in Wales is mainly white male and the average age of the workforce is 39.
A breakdown of data for Apprenticeship starts in the automotive retail sector in Wales for 2009/10 showed the following:
Male: 98%;
Female: 2%;
White: 99%;
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic: 1%;
Learning disability/difficulty: 6%.
The Apprenticeship route has been popular in the Automotive Retail Industry, particularly on the technical side, for a number of years; however, recruitment still causes difficulties. The difficulties appear to result from the industry's image problems together with pay conditions and a perceived lack of career prospects. In order to counteract some of these issues, awareness of the Automotive Retail Industry as a profession is being raised through:
- the Principal Learning Qualifications in the Welsh Baccalaureate for Engineering and Retail Business, which has Automotive retail content;
- the (14-16) Motor Vehicle Vocational Training Programme, which raises awareness of the Automotive Retail Industry in schools;
- the family of Headlight products, which are free resources for teachers and students at Key Stage 3-4 centred around Business Studies, Mathematics and Literacy with the Automotive Industry as the exciting backdrop;
- Autocity - Careers website for the Automotive Industry, which includes non stereotypical images of jobs in the sector;
- HUBcap the HUB for Careers and Academic Professionals to Provide a Well Rounded Solution to Motor Industry Careers Practitioners;
- 1st Gear, which is an online community designed to engage 13-16 year olds with the Automotive Retail Industry.
Apprenticeships are seen as a vital route to encourage, and facilitate, a greater diversity of individuals into the industry, therefore entry conditions to this Pathway are extremely flexible and mentoring has been included to contribute towards increasing retention and achievement rates.
The IMI monitors take up and achievement of all Apprenticeships through a range of mechanisms such as employer focus groups, steering groups as and when necessary and research tools such as benchmarking reports. The IMI will take steps to address any barriers to take up and achievement as part of our Sector Qualifications Strategy
Employment responsibilities and rights
Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the Training Provider / Employer to ensure that the requirements of this Pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government