Apprentice Vehicle Damage Paint Technician

Apprenticeship Central Ltd; Exeter; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days annual leave + public holidays

Free life assurance (x2 basic salary)

Pension & save-as-you-earn scheme

Well-being services including 24/7 GP,

Health Cash Plan, Dental & Travel Ins

Stream App for pay management

Job summary

FMG Repair Services is recruiting an Apprentice Vehicle Damage Paint Technician to join a supportive bodyshop team in Exeter. You’ll gain practical skills and a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification, with no prior experience required.

Duration is 36 months. Pay starts at £8.50 per hour in year 1 and rises to the national wage for your age from year 2. Hours are Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00, with block-release training and mentoring throughout the programme.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above).

Responsibilities

• Preparing vehicle panels for painting through filling, sanding and masking
• Mixing and colour matching paint to achieve a high-quality finish
• Applying primers, basecoats and finishing coats using spray equipment
• Finishing painted vehicles by polishing, touching up and removing masking materials
• Learning approved repair methods to ensure work meets manufacturer and BS10125 quality 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

Education

GCSE English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above)

Discrete reading/writing skills

Job description

Location

Exeter Airport Industrial Estate, Long Ln, Exeter EX5 2LJ

About The Role

Are you curious about cars, enjoy hands-on work, and want to get paid while learning? An apprenticeship could be the perfect start to your career in the automotive industry. Apprenticeship Central are recruiting an Apprentice Vehicle Damage Paint Technician to join a supportive bodyshop team in Exeter. You’ll gain practical skills, hands‑on experience, and a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification. No prior experience is needed, just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn!

Apprenticeship Details

Duration: 36 months

Pay: £8.50 per hour in year 1, rising to the national wage for your age from year 2

Hours: Monday to Friday (Varied between 08:00-17:00)

Training & Support

• 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 a RETAIN Manager at Apprenticeship Central

Why this apprenticeship is great / Where it can take you

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 Paint Technician.

Company Benefits

• Start with 23 days annual leave, of course, you’ll have public holidays too and an extra day off to celebrate 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 for all our colleagues – a Financial Wellbeing app that gives you more control over your pay. Not only does it let you choose when to get paid it also lets you put money aside each month and in addition you can get discounts on your shopping, check what benefits you’re eligible for and can even put you in touch with a financial coach!

What You’ll Do

• Preparing vehicle panels for painting through filling, sanding and masking
• Mixing and colour matching paint to achieve a high-quality finish
• Applying primers, basecoats and finishing coats using spray equipment
• Finishing painted vehicles by polishing, touching up and removing masking materials
• Learning approved repair methods to ensure work meets manufacturer and BS10125 quality 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

Requirements

• GCSE (or equivalent) English – Grade 4/C or above
• GCSE (or equivalent) Maths – Grade 4/C or above

About You

• Passionate about vehicles and eager to build a career in the automotive industry
• Enthusiastic about learning and developing new skills
• Enjoys practical, hands‑on work and takes pride in producing high-quality work
• A reliable team player with good communication skills
• Organised, with excellent attention to detail and a positive attitude
• Committed to working safely and following company procedures
• Able to travel reliably to and from the workplace

About The Company

FMG Repair Services is one of the UK’s leading and largest group of accident repair centres. Offering quality, speed and value for all aspects of vehicle repair, you will find us in or near most cities in the UK. Our business isn’t just about fixing cars – it’s about caring for customers, getting their vehicles back on the road with the minimum amount of fuss and the maximum amount of care.

For more information about the official apprenticeship standard, visit: Skills England