Course overview

Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance Level 3 Apprenticeship City of Bristol College

A Heavy Vehicle (HV) Technician services, inspects and repairs HVs, categorised by the Department of Transport as category N2 or N3 and associated trailers, with the associated ancillaries.

They work in either a dealership that focuses on a particular manufacturer, or for an independent garage, franchise or large fleet operator that deals with many different makes of vehicles. They work on all the systems found within the vehicle. The nature of the work ranges from replacing simple parts to solving complex faults with the use of diagnostic methods and equipment.

The day-to-day tasks faced by the technician are constantly changing, driven by the introduction of ever more complex technologies and diagnostic techniques. Today’s technician has to demonstrate expertise in the technical side of their role. They must have strong problem-solving skills and a good grasp of the theoretical and practical aspects of vehicle systems and associated ancillaries.

They must be able to work independently but also operate as effective team members, understanding how their workshop and the dealership/garage/branch function from a commercial perspective, have good customer handling skills and identify ways in which they can work more efficiently. The growing complexity of today’s vehicles and the pressure to deliver a high-quality customer experience requires the retail automotive sector to attract and train high-calibre individuals.

 

Start Your Apprenticeship Journey with City of Bristol College 

Start your apprenticeship journey with City of Bristol College

Additional information

Who is this course for?

This apprenticeship is for anyone developing a career in the motor industry. These practical qualifications demonstrate your skills on the job, in your own workplace, showing that you meet national standards for automotive workers.

Their structure and assessment strategy have been produced by the Institute of the Motor Industry, who are the Sector Skills Council for the Automotive Industry.

All apprentices commencing their apprenticeship must have an Apprenticeship Agreement between the employer and the apprentice. This can be used to reinforce the understanding of the requirements of the apprenticeship.

On completion of the apprenticeship, the apprentice must be able to undertake the full range of duties, in the range of circumstances appropriate to the job, confidently and competently to the standard set by the industry.

What you'll learn

Units cover:

  •  Competency in health, safety and good housekeeping in the automotive environment
  •  Competency in supporting job roles in the automotive work environment
  •  Skills in materials, fabrication, tools and measuring devices in the automotive environment
  •  Competency in making learning possible through demonstrations and instruction
  •  Competency in identifying and agreeing motor vehicle customer service needs
  •  Knowledge of health, safety and good housekeeping in the automotive environment
  •  Knowledge of support for job roles in the automotive work environment
  •  Knowledge of materials, fabrication, tools and measuring devices used in the automotive environment

Candidates will undertake both a competency assessment building a portfolio of evidence and attend college for fifteen blocks of two weeks spread over 3 years undertaking the knowledge and Skills elements.

  • Functional Skills level 2 in Maths and English
  • Employee Rights and Responsibilities
  • PLTS Personal learning and thinking skills

Course entry requirements

Apprentices will be required to have or achieve Level 2 in English and Maths by the end of their apprenticeship if they do not already have a GCSE Grade 1 – 5/A-C in both subjects. Apprentices should be able to demonstrate through initial assessment that they are working at Level 2.

The duration of the apprenticeship is determined by a number of different factors such as experience and prior learning. The minimum time of an apprenticeship is 12 months with the maximum being identified on an individual basis.

How is the course delivered and assessed?

The course is delivered both online and face to face over a three-year period where you will attend 15 blocks of two weeks. During these blocks, you will gain the skills and knowledge requirement of the qualification. This will be supported by your workplace activities this will gain you the experience to be able to pass two gateways one at the end of year one and one at the end of year two. Then there will be a final external assessment at the end of year three called an EPA

You will be supported in the workplace by the College’s assessor team to ensure progress is being made in the workplace and you will be assigned a mentor in the workplace to monitor this progress.

Gateways and EPA consist of online tests and practical assessments and you must pass these to move on to the next year and complete your apprenticeship.

View the full assessment plan.

The duration of the apprenticeship is determined by a number of different factors such as experience and prior learning. The minimum time of an apprenticeship is 12 months with the maximum being identified on an individual basis.

Future career and study opportunities

This qualification will allow you to progress in the motor vehicle industry as a fully-qualified technician open options for you to become a master Tec, MOT tester, Hybrid electric Technicians.

Further study on the college Level 4 Automotive Management course will allow you to progress in the management structure or Garage owner in the industry

Additional costs

As a City of Bristol College apprentice, you may incur additional costs on your apprenticeship. For example, it is likely you may need to pay for travel and stationery, and for some apprenticeships you may need to purchase specialist equipment.

From September 2023, students on all motor vehicle courses will be required to purchase and wear a uniform in College. You will receive more information about this, including cost and how to purchase, at your induction.

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