Vehicle damage paint technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A vehicle damage paint technician applies paint and protective coatings to accident-repaired or refinished vehicles, matching colour precisely to achieve a factory-quality finish. You will prepare surfaces, mix and spray paints, and apply clear lacquers in a controlled spray booth environment. It is a skilled craft role that rewards attention to detail, and can lead to colour development, quality control, or bodyshop management.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Surface preparation techniques including sanding, masking, and priming
Colour theory, tinting, and how to match paint using spectrophotometry
How to mix and apply solvent-borne and waterborne paint systems
Spray gun set-up, technique, and fault diagnosis
Health and safety, COSHH, and personal protective equipment in a spray environment
Polishing and finishing techniques to produce a blemish-free surface
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Sand, fill, and prepare repaired panels before painting
Mix paint to achieve an accurate colour match
Apply primer, base coat, and lacquer in a spray booth
Mask surrounding panels and glass to prevent overspray
Polish finished surfaces to remove defects and restore gloss
Clean and maintain spray guns and booth equipment
Inspect finished paintwork against quality standards
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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