VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPAIR BODY PRINCIPLES Level 3 Diploma Apprenticeship

To be eligible to enter ApprenticeshipsNI 2021 funded Level 2 / Level 3 apprenticeship provision, a person must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Have attained the upper limit of Compulsory School Age:
   1. A 16 year old who is entitled to leave school after the statutory leaving date of 30 June, or a 17 year old who leaves school/Further Education (FE) College during the month of June, will be permitted to enter ApprenticeshipsNI 2021 from the first Monday in July.
   2. A school leaver/FE College leaver who is 17 years old and who leaves before 1 June can be admitted to ApprenticeshipsNI 2021 at any time after leaving school or College.
2. Have already achieved a Level 2 in Vehicle Accident Body Repair Principles or related area.
3. Be either an existing employee in a new job role that requires a substantial amount of learning and skills development, or a new employee in (or about to take up) a permanent paid employment offer, including a specific start date as detailed on the Delivery Agreement and confirmed by the employer.
4. Be employed by a company that has a base in Northern Ireland and is registered as an employer with HMRC and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week (which includes day release/off-the-job directed training) with one employer. Directed training must be paid as part of the apprentice’s contracted hours.
5. Have the potential to successfully complete all the requirements of the appropriate Level 2/Level 3 apprenticeship framework.
   
6. Meet any health requirements (e.g., colour vision) specific to the occupation of their choice.
7. Have achieved any necessary entry academic qualifications (e.g., GCSEs) determined by the relevant sector for the apprenticeship and approved by the Department.
8. Pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector/employer and approved by the Department.
9. Applicants with a previous level 2 or 3 qualification in the same occupational area may not be eligible for participation in a similar occupational area at the same level. This will require approval by the Department.

Employers may apply their own criteria during recruitment. However, only those potential apprentices who are assessed as capable / committed to achieving the full requirements of an apprenticeship framework will be recruited.

Attendance at Individual or Group Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (IPEAS and GPEAS) may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft teams) and will play an important role in the selection of all courses.

Modules

• Welding techniques on specialist metal
• Chassis alignment
  
• Remove and replace structural body panels
• Multi-panel configuration

Assessment in the Level 3 Diploma Apprenticeship is based on a combination of practical assessments, written assignments and online tests. Apprentices will complete practical assignments that demonstrate their competence in vehicle accident repair skills, including panel repair, welding, dent removal, and vehicle re-alignment. They will also undertake written exams to assess their understanding of repair principles, vehicle structures, materials, and safety regulations.

On completion of this qualification, students may progress onto higher education programmes in related areas. This may include other level 3 motor industry qualifications or the Level 4 Automotive Repair offered at SRC.

Upon successful completion of the Vehicle Accident Repair Body Principles Level 3 Diploma Apprenticeship, apprentices will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a rewarding career in the automotive industry. Graduates may find employment in various sectors, such as vehicle repair workshops, accident repair centers, or automotive dealerships. They may work as vehicle repair technicians, body repair specialists, or pursue further specialisation in areas such as paint refinishing, structural repairs, or advanced diagnostics.