Simpsons Skoda Preparation Centre Preston - Paint Technician Apprenticeship

ŠKODA is driven by something different. We are looking for ambitious, dynamic, and enthusiastic people to join our apprenticeship programme. If you are customer‑focused, forward‑thinking, and want to learn, then we can give you the life and technical skills you need to be part of our team.

Volkswagen Group (VWG) is one of the UK’s largest car retailers encompassing premium brands such as Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, TPS, Volkswagen Group Paint and Body, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Our network of VWG approved Paint and Body centres delivers a first‑class service to customers using teams of highly trained experts and the same paint, parts and materials that are used at our factories. Our apprenticeship programme gives you the opportunity to become part of this network, working within an approved body shop and receiving world‑class training from our industry experts.

Our Paint Technicians work within the VWG Approved Repairer network to help return customers’ vehicles to factory standards following accidents including bumps and scrapes. This means that the vehicles will become as good as new.

Responsibilities

• Preparing vehicles to be painted after damage has occurred or once panels have been replaced.
• Repairing minor scratches to match the rest of the vehicle.
• Ensuring all parts have been stripped from the vehicle in order for it to be painted.
• Sanding down relevant area and adjoining area for blending.
• Masking out areas to be treated.
• Etching and priming areas to be treated.
• Selecting matching and mixing colours using the approved VWG colour palette.
• Spray painting panels or vehicle parts using a variety of techniques to ensure a factory‑standard finish.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking individual to join our team and embark on a long‑term career, with excellent earning and progression opportunities once you complete your apprenticeship.

Training Provided

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 must be prepared to travel to the Inspiro Learning Centre in Doncaster 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 at the Inspiro Learning Centre. This is a fully rounded training experience where you will build life skills that last and gain both apprenticeship qualifications and brand certifications.

Qualifications Received

On successful completion of the three‑year apprenticeship programme, you will receive the following qualification (or the equivalent qualification for your devolved nation): Level 3 Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprenticeship Brand certifications.

Future Prospects

VWG is one of the UK’s largest car retailers encompassing premium brands such as Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, TPS, VWG Paint and Body, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This network of retailers spans the UK, providing a wide range of career opportunities. Once your apprenticeship is complete, you will continue your learning journey and have the opportunity to drive your career forward. Some apprentices have gone on to become team leaders and managers within the retail network or even joined our team at Head Office in Milton Keynes.

Qualifications Required

GCSE grades 9 – 4 (A – C) or equivalent in any three‑subject area. In Scotland, applicants must have or be predicted to achieve Scottish National 5 Grades A – C or above in any three subjects. ‘Equivalent’ grades include: BTEC first diplomas and certificates OCR Nationals Key Skills Level 2 NVQs Essential Skills (Wales) Functional Skills Level 2 Core Skills (Scotland). We accept predicted grades and can make conditional offers based on predicted grades.

Personal Qualities

Our ideal candidate will be creative and have an artistic nature. You should be able to demonstrate attention to detail and be committed to delivering a precise finish. We are looking for people who are passionate about our industry and our brand. Some of the personal skills that you should think about showing us in your application are:

• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
• Teamwork
• Strong communication
• Customer service
• Interest in vehicle engineering

Things to Consider

As part of our commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, all applications are automatically anonymised by our recruitment system. This aims to realise our ambition to have a workforce that is reflective of the community we serve and eliminates unconscious bias, allowing employees to be appointed based on their talent, skills and experiences regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. English and Maths guidance from the government changed on 11th February 2025. This employer wishes to support upskilling in both English and Maths by exception and as such the entry grade criteria as advertised still applies.