South Gloucestershire Council
Apprenticeship - Mechanic Apprentice
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician Apprentice
How You’ll Make a Difference
As a Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician Apprentice, you will contribute significantly to the maintenance, servicing, repair, and inspection of the council’s fleet of diverse vehicles and equipment.
Working alongside experienced mechanics, you’ll help ensure that council vehicles—alongside those from partner organisations and external customers—remain in optimal condition, tested to high standards, and delivered in a timely and efficient manner. Your role is crucial in maintaining essential services safely, reliably, and effectively.
This is an exciting opportunity to gain practical experience in a dynamic workshop environment, develop key technical skills, and grow within a supportive and professional team.
What You Will Be Doing
- Work closely with qualified mechanics to perform mechanical and electrical inspections, as well as maintenance and repair across a wide range of council vehicles.
- Learn how to prepare vehicles for MOT testing, including identifying defects, completing necessary repairs, and conducting routine servicing and inspections.
- Gain hands-on experience working with larger and more complex vehicles and equipment, including:
- 26-tonne gritters
- Tankers
- Buses
- Tippers
- Vans
- Cars
- Plant machinery
- Operate in both indoor and outdoor environments, often under physically demanding conditions, including:
- Using compressed air tools
- Working in confined spaces (e.g., under-vehicle inspection pits)
- Climbing ladders and gantries
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What We Need From You
Candidates should ideally meet the following criteria:
- Hold a minimum of GCSE A-C/4-9 (or equivalent)* in English and Maths, or be willing to obtain Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects as part of the apprenticeship.
- Show a drive to learn, commitment to gaining qualifications, and enthusiasm for the automotive sector.
- Demonstrate an interest in vehicles, with a desire to pursue this as a future career.
- Meet Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) eligibility requirements, including:
- Being aged 16 or over
- Holding EEA citizenship with a Right to Work in the UK
- Not currently in any full-time education or other apprenticeship programme
What You Need to Know
- Interviews will take place on the 5th and 6th August 2026.
- Shortlisted candidates will be required to deliver a 10-minute presentation as part of the recruitment process. Failure to complete this will result in disqualification.
- The 3-year apprenticeship programme involves:
- A workplace mentor for on-the-job support.
- Block release learning at City of Bristol College (Parkway Campus, Motor Vehicle Technology Centre).
- The contract lasts for 36 months, covering the full duration of the apprenticeship.
- Assessments will be conducted early in the process by City of Bristol College.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Salary Details
The apprenticeship pay will follow the current National Minimum Wage:
| Age | Hourly Rate | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 21+ | £12.71 | £24,454 |
| 18-20 | £10.85 | £20,875 |
| 16-17 | £8.00 | £15,392 |
- Start date: 5th October 2026 (employment begins in September 2026).**
How a Career at South Gloucestershire Council Is Different
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous annual leave (pro-rated) where applicable.
- Employee wellbeing support.
- Staff discounts including eye tests, travel, shopping, and leisure activities.
We pride ourselves on our diverse team of skilled professionals, valuing merit and ability in recruitment, promotion, and development. Our work directly impacts the lives of people in our community:
- Building stronger, more resilient communities.
- Improving infrastructure and roads, schools, green spaces, and housing.
- Ensuring essential services are safe, reliable, and well-maintained.
Join us and be part of a positive, impactful organisation!
For further details, see: Mechanic Apprenticeship Advert (June 2026)
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location