Approx. duration: 30 months
Start Date: September and January
Attendance: One day a week at the Rural Campus
Entry requirements:
- Individual employers will set their selection criteria for applicants
- Apprentices need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours a week and have a contract of employment
- Entry into the Apprenticeship is subject to a thorough skills scan assessment to clarify course suitability
- Entry onto the Apprenticeship is subject to 4 GCSEs grades 9-1/A-G including Maths and English or Functional Skills Level 1
- Apprentices aged 16-18 years are subject to the mandatory requirement to study towards and achieve English and Maths Functional Skills at Level 2 where the Apprentice only holds the level 1 qualifications (GCSE grades D-G/3-1)
- Following the updated ESFA Apprenticeship rules, from 11th February 2025. Apprentices who begin their apprenticeship training when aged 19+ will no longer be subject to this mandatory requirement. It is now the decision of the apprentice and their employer at the start of their apprenticeship to choose to study towards a Maths and English qualification
On-programme learning:
- Auto-care Technician Standard Level 2
- Automotive Refrigerant Handling (Fgas) Qualification
- Safe Isolation of Electric and Hybrid Qualification
- English and Maths (if required) to achieve Level 2
Progression:
On completion of this Standard the Auto-care Technician will be eligible to apply for IMI membership as a Registered Young Professional or if they wish as an Associate Member. They would also gain entry into the IMI Professional Register.
Course Summary:
An Auto-care Technician performs various services and repairs on cars, car-derived vans and light goods vehicles, typically within an Auto-care or “Fast-Fit” Centre. The role demands a distinctive blend of technical expertise, retail proficiency and customer service skills. Auto-care Technicians utilise a variety of tools, measurement instruments and diagnostic equipment to detect and fix minor system malfunctions.
The Auto-care Technician has to demonstrate expertise not only in the technical elements of their role but a good grasp of the practical and theoretical aspects of the vehicle systems they service. They also need to have excellent telephone, customer handling 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.