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Apprentice Vehicle Damage Panel Technician
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Apprentice Vehicle Damage Panel Technician
FMG REPAIR SERVICES LIMITED
Canterbury (CT4 8DX)
Posted on 15 October 2026
Closes on Monday 30 November 2026
Summary
Are you curious about cars and enjoy hands-on work? Join FMG Repair Services' Canterbury bodyshop as an Apprentice Vehicle Damage Panel Technician. You'll repair and replace vehicle body panels while earning a Level 3 qualification. No experience needed, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Wage: £17,728.62 a year
Minimum wage rates: £8.50 per hour in year 1, rising to the national wage for your age from year 2.
Training
Training course: Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)
Hours: Monday to Friday (varied between 08:00-17:00) 40 hours a week
Start date: Tuesday 1 December 2026
Duration: 2 years 9 months
Positions available: 1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
As an Apprentice Vehicle Damage Panel Technician, you'll assist and learn across a variety of tasks, including:
- Repairing, removing and replacing vehicle body panels to manufacturer standards
- Learning to repair both structural and non-structural vehicle damage
- Carrying out panel alignment and using a range of repair techniques, including welding, bonding and mechanical fastening
- Following approved repair methods to ensure repairs meet quality and safety standards
- Maintaining tools, equipment and a clean, safe working environment
- Working alongside experienced technicians while developing your practical skills
- Communicating effectively with your team and contributing to a positive working environment
Where you'll work
Canterbury Road Chilham
Canterbury CT4 8DX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
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Training provider
THATCHAM RESEARCH
Training course
Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)
What you'll learn
- 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.
Training schedule
Your training will take place both at your workplace and Thatcham Research Automotive Academy, Daytona Drive, Thatcham, RG19 4NR.
- Block-release training with an apprenticeship provider every six weeks.
- On-the-job guidance from an experienced team and allocated workplace mentor.
- Visits from a training provider coach every 6-8 weeks.
- Additional support from Apprenticeship Central.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade 4/C or above)
- Maths (grade Grade 4/C or above)
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Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Team working
Other requirements
Able to travel reliably to and from the workplace.
About this employer
FMG Repair Services are the UK's leading accident repair services group, with opportunities in our repair centres, Mobile Repair and Motorglass teams throughout England, Scotland and Wales. We recognise our people are our greatest asset - central to our success - with our team working in a diverse range of roles and locations nationwide.
https://www.fmgrepairservices.co.uk/
Company benefits
- 23 days annual leave plus public holidays.
- Extra day off for your birthday!
- Free life assurance (x2 your basic salary)
- Pension & save-as-you-earn share scheme
- Well-being services (incl. 24/7 GP service, mental health support and physiotherapy + Health Cash Plan, Dental Plan & Travel Insurance)
- Stream App, a Financial Wellbeing app.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). You'll learn a range of technical skills, gain hands-on experience across multiple disciplines, and receive ongoing support to help you succeed. After completing the apprenticeship, you may have the opportunity to continue with the company in a permanent role and develop your career as a Vehicle Damage Panel Technician.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THATCHAM RESEARCH
The reference code for this apprenticeship is: VAC2000059466.
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