Auto-care Technician Apprenticeship – Level 2

An Auto-care Technician carries out a range of services and repairs to cars, car-derived vans and light goods vehicles, working in an Auto-care or Fast-Fit Centre, which may be part of a national chain or operated by a regional/local independent group/owner.

An Auto-care Technician requires a unique combination of technical, retail and customer service skills. They will use a range of tools, measuring and diagnostic equipment to identify and repair simple system faults.

The Auto-care Technician not only has to demonstrate expertise in the technical elements of their role and have a good grasp of the practical and theoretical aspects of the vehicle systems they service, but also needs to have excellent telephone, customer handling (including how to handle difficult customers and deal with customer disappointment) 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, understanding how their centre operates from a commercial perspective and how their actions contribute to business results, while maintaining a high standard of workmanship.

Apprentices without Level 1 English and Maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for Level 2 prior to taking their apprenticeship End Point Assessment.  

For those with an education, health and care plan or legacy statement, the English and Maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. British Sign Language qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications where this is the apprentice’s primary language.  

The apprentice is expected to develop the following skills in the workplace:

• Contribute to maintaining a healthy and safe workplace, including the maintenance of key equipment and carrying out general housekeeping
• Carry out stock procedures including dealing with routine stock deliveries, placing stock into storage, carrying out stock rotation duties and ordering parts for customers following company procedures
• Carry out vehicle safety inspections and routine maintenance in line with manufacturers’ specifications or approved schedules, company procedures and complete approved documentation.
• Make recommendations to customers based on the results of inspections, ensuring that sales recommendations are accurate and fully costed, are ethical and in the best interests of the customer at all times, using language that is transparent and avoids jargon
• Carry out replacement/repair and balancing of a range of light vehicle tyres, including ultra-low profile, directional, asymmetric and run-flat tyres fitted to a range of wheel sizes and types
• Carry out the replacement of components on a specific range of vehicle systems including steering and suspension, braking systems, battery and charging systems, exhaust systems and air-conditioning systems
• Carry out four-wheel geometry operations including adjustments on a range of vehicles with different suspension and steering systems
• Use a range of specialist tools and equipment, mechanical and electrical measuring tools and diagnostic equipment to support fault identification and repair
• Identify and procure correct parts to meet specific customer requirements
• Access vehicle technical data to inform inspections and make judgements on wear and serviceability
• Deal with and resolve low-level customer complaints
• Communicate effectively with customers, suppliers and colleagues
• Use specific company IT systems within the workplace, including point-of-sale systems and hand-held devices

Required behaviours in the workplace include:

• Act in a manner that promotes the professional image of the automotive sector
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and customers on a range of topics, including drawing out information to support identification of customer and vehicle needs, making clear recommendations to customers and overcoming objections/concerns
• Behave in accordance with company values, industry codes of conduct and demonstrate respect for customers and colleagues
• Be courteous at all times and respond quickly to requests/requirements using effective communication skills to win trust and ensure an excellent experience
• Work as an effective team member taking responsibility for their own actions, being honest and accountable when issues arise and things don’t go as planned
• Commit to learning to improve their own performance and that of the business
• Work in an organised way to ensure work is carried out in an effective and efficient manner

The Auto-care Apprenticeship Standard

The apprentice must keep a portfolio of evidence, which may be stored either electronically or as a hard-copy, throughout the on-programme training and formative assessment. This will contain work they have completed from a wide range of activities and should include evidence to support the formal Gateway meeting. The portfolio will not be assessed at End Point Assessment (EPA) but it will form the basis for the questions that will be assessed during the Professional Review component of the EPA.

The portfolio of evidence should contain:

• A record of work activities undertaken
• A copy of the agreed training plan
• Progress Review Records
• A record of achieved competencies
• Copies of assignments and projects
• Records of reflective learning activities showing reviews of own performance (to support demonstration of Behaviour B5)
• Records of on-programme knowledge assessments
• Evidence of any additional relevant Continual Professional Development (CPD)

Yes, on day release and for attendance for the End Point Assessment at the end of the apprenticeship

Apprentices will be expected to comply with their company’s standard PPE dress code. Any shortfalls in safety equipment will be addressed during the first week of the course.

They can advance to the Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician qualification at Level 3

This apprenticeship is suitable for several job roles within the automotive industry, including:

• Auto-care Technician
• Automotive Mechanic Technician
• Autotrade Mechanic
• Motor Vehicle Technician
• Vehicle Technician

These roles involve carrying out a range of services and repairs on cars, car-derived vans and light goods vehicles, including electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. The apprenticeship equips you with technical, retail and customer service skills, making you a valuable asset in auto-care or fast-fit centres.

You may already have someone in your organisation or someone who has come to you directly asking for an apprenticeship. However, if you don’t, we have a free recruitment service to help you hire the best candidate for your organisation from our talent pool and can provide external advertising through social media and the National Apprenticeship Service’s website.

If you are an employer and you would like to know more, please email businessenquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or call 01332 387421