Auto-Care Technician (Level 2)

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This course is for any eligible candidates, who wish to earn a wage while developing their skills and knowledge needed to be able to pursue a career in motor vehicle maintenance.

As an Auto-care Technician you would carry out a range of services and repairs to cars, car derived vans and light goods vehicles, working in an Auto-care or “Fast-Fit” Centre, which may be part of a national chain or operated by a regional/local independent group/owner. An Auto-care Technician requires a unique combination of technical, retail and customer service skills. They will use a range of tools, measuring and diagnostic equipment to identify & repair simple system faults.

The Auto-care Technician must demonstrate expertise not only in the technical elements of their role and have a good grasp of the practical and theoretical aspects of the vehicle systems they service, but also needs to have excellent telephone, customer handling (including how to handle difficult customers and deal with customer disappointment) and effective sales skills, as well as strong problem solving and self-organisation skills. They must be able to work as part of a team but also operate independently, understand how their centre operates from a commercial perspective and how their actions contribute to business results, whilst maintaining a high standard of workmanship.

Are there any entry requirements?

Must be a UK citizen, or have the right of abode in the UK, or is a citizen of a country that is within the EEA and have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the EU or the EEA continuously for the previous three years before the start of learning. Candidates will have achieved a minimum of GCSE Grade 3-2 (D-E) or equivalent in English and Mathematics We also offer Functional Skills English and maths at Level 1 and Level 2 for those needing to gain these qualifications prior to enrolment.

Apprentices must be employed, for a minimum of 30 hours, in a role that suits the skills requirements of this apprenticeship. If you are not already employed, in this type of job role, you could search our apprenticeship vacancy page at:www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-vacancies/

New applicants will be contacted by a vocational delivery tutor to determine suitability/ eligibility prior, give information and advice on the next steps.

Shortlisted applicants will be sent to the employer, to then follow their recruitment procedure. Unsuitable applicants will be signed posted to other areas of our service to develop transferable/ employability skills, with a view to ensuring they are suitable for other apprenticeship positions in the future.

What is the curriculum intent of this Apprenticeship?

The structure and delivery of the course curriculum will enable you to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours to reflect the needs of local and regional employers, gain qualifications and be successful in this area. The curriculum is planned and sequenced to enable learners with previous knowledge and experience to develop the new skills needed to progress to the next stage of their career, training, education or employment.

The curriculum is flexible and responsive to learner demands and can be tailored to suit individual needs, arising from any current and dynamic issues affecting their role, which can be addressed during workshop sessions.

As an apprentice you will need to be able to demonstrate knowledge and practical skills at the end of your apprenticeship training programme and understand how this reflects the needs of the local, regional and national economy.

What will the Apprenticeship cover?

The Auto-Care Technician apprenticeship will:

A) Develop the knowledge and understanding of:

Tyre legislation and technical information including EU Tyre labelling, Tyre Pressure Monitoring systems, sidewall markings, homologated fitments relating to cars, car derived vans and light goods vehicles
Fundamentals of specific vehicle systems including steering & suspension, braking systems, battery & charging systems, exhaust systems and Air-Conditioning systems
Vehicle 4-wheel geometry principles
Basic consumer legislation relevant to the occupation
Appropriate Health & Safety legislation and requirements for the workplace
Hybrid/Electric Vehicle system and safe working procedures
Data protection requirements to protect customer and payment information
General sales principles including, identifying customer & vehicle needs, presenting solutions, closing the sale and dealing with buying resistance
How the business works and how you contribute to the overall results, demonstrating commercial awareness
How to carry out vehicle safety inspections and routine maintenance using manufacturers specifications or approved schedules, using vehicle specific data and meeting legal requirements
The importance of following workplace procedures and the consequences of not doing so

B) Develop the knowledge and understanding of:

Contribute to maintaining a healthy and safe workplace, including the maintenance of key equipment and carrying out general housekeeping
Carry out stock procedures including dealing with routine stock deliveries, placing stock into storage, carrying out stock rotation duties and ordering parts for customers following company procedures
Carry out vehicle safety inspections and routine maintenance in line with manufactures specifications or approved schedules, company procedures and complete approved
Make recommendations to customers based on the results of inspections, ensuring that sales recommendations are accurate and fully costed, are always ethical and in the best interests of the customer, using language that is transparent and avoids jargon
Carry out replacement/repair and balancing of a range of light vehicle tyres, including ultra-low profile, directional, asymmetric and run-flat tyres fitted to a range of wheel sizes and types
Carry out the replacement of components on a specific range of vehicle systems including Steering & Suspension, Braking systems, Battery & Charging systems, exhaust systems and Air-Conditioning systems
Carry out 4-wheel Geometry operations including adjustments on a range of vehicles with different suspension and steering systems
Use a range of specialist tools & equipment, mechanical & electrical measuring tools and diagnostic equipment to support fault identification and repair
Identify & procure correct parts to meet specific customer requirements
Access vehicle technical data to inform inspections and make judgements on wear and
Deal with and resolve low-level customer complaints
Communicate effectively with customers, suppliers and colleagues
Use specific company IT systems within the workplace, including Point-of-sale systems and hand-held devices:

C) Develop and demonstrate the following behaviours:

Act in a manner that promotes the professional image of the automotive sector
Communicate effectively with colleagues and customers on a range of topics including drawing out information to support identification of customer and vehicle needs, making clear recommendations to customers and overcoming objections/concerns.
Behave in accordance with company values, industry codes of conduct and demonstrate respect for customers and colleagues. Be courteous at all times and respond quickly to requests/requirements using effective communications skills to win trust and ensure an excellent experience
Work as an effective team member taking responsibility for their own actions, being honest and accountable when issues arise and things don’t go as planned
Commit to learning to improve your own performance and that of the business. Work in an organised way to ensure work is carried out in an effective and efficient

On completion of the on-programme element of the apprenticeship you will enter gateway to the End Point Assessment, which is the final assessment. This will be conducted by an independent end point assessor who will grade the assessment.

End Point Assessment Methods

To trigger the End Point Assessment, you must have:

Proof of English & maths GCSE minimum grade 2+ (E+) or equivalent level 1 qualification
Completed a showcase portfolio, demonstrating how you have met the knowledge, skills and behaviours

The End Point Assessment consists of:

Online Knowledge Tests: Part A consisting of 50 multiple choice questions over 60 minutes and Part B consisting of 20 multi-response, drop down menus or drag and drop questions over 45 minutes
Skills Test: A 1 day practical assessment, completing 5 practical tasks including: a vehicle inspection, replacing components, replacing/ repairing tyres, stocking procedures and 4-wheel geometry
Professional Discussion: A 1 hour discussion to determine your level of knowledge, skills and behaviours developed over the duration of this apprenticeship

This standard will be graded as Distinction, Pass or Fail

What could I do when I have finished this Apprenticeship?

You may gain employment with your employer and / or decide to complete the Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. You will also be given information and guidance to continue onto other courses.

Where and when will I learn?

During the course you will be expected to attend our Training Centre (Lingfield Way, Darlington, DL1 4QZ) 1 day a week developing your knowledge and practical skills in a controlled environment. These are a combination of classroom and workshop sessions allowing you to enhance your knowledge of the various vehicle systems and develop your practical skills in a controlled environment. These sessions will allow you to complete coursework, receive instant feedback and ensure you are ready for the End Point Assessment.

The remainder of the week will be spent working with your employer putting the theory into practice to further develop your knowledge, skills, and behaviours in a real working environment.

This course will typically take 36 months, but this is based on a vocational initial assessment to determine prior learning in this area and may be reduced. The final End Point Assessment will be completed within 3 months of completing the on-programme taught element

How much will the Apprenticeship cost?

There are no fees for this apprenticeship.

What do I do next?

You can:

View our latest vacancies

Or you can:

Apply for this apprenticeship area to be entered into a 'pool of candidates'. When a relevant vacancy becomes available we will contact you.
If you are already employed in this area and wish to join the apprenticeship training, or have identified an employer wishing to start you as an apprentice in this area, please contact us