Autocare Technicians/Mechanics

Halfords; Colchester; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive services company in Colchester is offering an exciting apprenticeship opportunity as an Autocare Technician. You will engage in vehicle maintenance and repair, using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, while receiving comprehensive training and support from a dedicated mentor. Ideal candidates will possess strong problem-solving abilities, customer service skills, and a passion for the automotive industry. The role promises a structured career path and continued development in a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Travel, accommodation and meals covered for training

Permanent role upon successful completion

Comprehensive training offered

Qualifications

• Level 2 qualification for safe isolation of electric and hybrid vehicles.
• Progression towards Level 3 apprenticeship standard in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.
• A mentor in your garage to support you through the apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

• Use diagnostic equipment to identify vehicle faults.
• Inspect, remove, and replace parts in vehicles for various systems.
• Maintain and restore the work area during and upon completion of tasks.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Communication skills

Teamwork

Customer Service

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4/C)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4/C)

Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard in Autocare Technician

Tools

Halfords toolkit

Job description

Overview

Drive your career forward with this exciting apprenticeship opportunity. Our Autocare Technicians/Mechanics are involved in all aspects of maintenance and repair, from routine servicing to complex diagnostics and repairs to our customers' vehicles. Every day is different within the Service department.

Responsibilities

• Use diagnostic equipment to identify vehicle faults.
• Testing of parts and systems to ensure correct working.
• Following checklists to ensure all critical parts of vehicles are examined.
• Carrying out a bumper-to-bumper overview, service, and inspection.
• Maintenance of electronic systems, including onboard entertainment systems.
• Completion of legible and accurate paperwork for customers and centre records.
• Maintenance of a clean and tidy work environment.
• You will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of products including traditional, hybrid and electronic engines.
• Comply with health and safety procedures in the workplace in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Prepare the vehicle and working area before the work activity. For example, remove or mitigate slip and trip hazards.
• Maintain and restore the work area during and on completion of the activity.
• Store, maintain, including calibration checks, and return tools and equipment to storage.
• Access vehicle technical data to inform inspections and make judgements on wear and serviceability.
• Comply with environmental and sustainability procedures, regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
• Apply vehicle safety inspection and routine maintenance procedures using vehicle specific data on car, car-derived van or light goods vehicle.
• Select and use mechanical and electrical measuring tools, and diagnostic equipment.
• Remove, repair and replace vehicle tyre and balance wheel assemblies on car, car-derived van or light goods vehicle.
• Inspect, remove, and replace parts or components in cars, car-derived vans, or light goods vehicles for steering, suspension, braking, emission, air conditioning, battery, charging, fluid, and filtration systems.
• Apply state-of-health condition monitoring tests to high voltage batteries and chargers for electrified vehicles.
• Apply four-wheel geometry checks and adjustments to cars, car-derived vans, and light goods vehicles.
• Apply safe working practices and procedures to isolate electrified vehicles for maintenance.
• Record vehicle service maintenance, parts replacement, or repair.
• Apply customer service principles and organisational customer care practices, identify customer and vehicle needs, resolve low level customer complaints, make recommendations, handle customer payment transactions, and organisational sales processes.
• Provide quotation of cost and order automotive parts, products, and consumables applicable to the vehicle.
• Apply procedures for stock and parts storage: ordering, checking and stock rotation.
• Apply organisational sales processes, including show and tell, features and benefits, consultative selling, mini closing and closing.
• Apply team working principles.
• Comply with equity, diversity, and inclusion guidance.
• Communicate verbally with customers, suppliers, and colleagues.
• Communicate in writing with internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers.
• Use information and digital technology systems, comply with GDPR and cyber security.
• Complete and record learning and development activities.
• Apply procedures to check and replace fluids, and filtration parts.

Qualifications

• Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard in Autocare Technician Certificate in Automotive Refrigerant Handling.
• Level 2 qualification for safe isolation of electric and hybrid vehicles.
• Brand specific certifications.
• Progression towards Level 3 apprenticeship standard in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.
• Block release training.
• A full Halfords toolkit, uniform and work boots supplied.
• A mentor in your garage to support you through the apprenticeship.
• A 40 hour working week if you are under 18 or 44 hours per week if you are over 18.
• Permanent role upon successful completion of your apprenticeship.
• Continued development and training opportunities with Hybrid/Electric Vehicle and MOT training.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
• Teamwork.
• Strong communication.
• Customer Service.
• Interest in vehicle engineering.
• GCSE in English (grade 4/C).
• GCSE in Maths (grade 4/C).
• Communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Organisational skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Logical.
• Team working, English and maths guidance from the government changed on 11/02/25. This employer wishes to support upskilling in both English and Maths by exception and, as such, the entry grade criteria as advertised still applies.

Training Schedule

Training will be delivered using a combination of virtual classroom remote learning and face-to-face block release weeks at our state-of-the-art training centre. Successful applicants are required to travel to a centrally located training facility to complete their apprenticeship training. All training-related costs are fully covered as part of the programme, including travel, accommodation and meals. In the workplace, your personal dedicated mentor will support your continued learning as you apply the skills and knowledge you have gained through the remote sessions and the training centre.

Benefits and Pay

• £15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.
• National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices.
• Work week confirmed on application: 40 hours a week.
• Start date Sunday 8 February 2026.
• Duration 2 years.

Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate skills in logic and problem‑solving. You should be someone who pays attention to detail and is committed to completing this apprenticeship programme. You should have some experience in the motor industry either with formal training at Level 1 or having worked at or within a similar organisation. You should be passionate about our industry and our brand.

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and welcome applicants from all background.