Course overview
Light Vehicle Service and Maintenance Level 3 Apprenticeship City of Bristol CollegeA Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician services and repairs light vehicles such as cars and vans and works either in dealerships which focus on a particular manufacturer, or in an independent garage which deals with many different makes of vehicles. The Automotive Retail Industry provides employment for over half a million employees who work for approximately 70,000 employers.
It is a major contributor to the UK economy. In a large dealership, the technician will typically report to the Workshop Controller, who in turn reports to the Aftersales Manager and liaises with the Service Reception. In smaller garages, the technician will report directly to the owner or Garage Manager. The technician must be able to work independently but also operate as an effective team member and have good customer handling skills. They will understand how their workshop and the dealership and garage functions from a commercial perspective and identify ways in which they can work more efficiently. For example when using resources consider the use of green parts and returning used parts to the manufacturer for recycling.
Start Your Apprenticeship Journey with City of Bristol CollegeÂ
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:
- Â Competency in health, safety and good housekeeping in the automotive environment
- Â Competency in supporting job roles in the automotive work environment
- Â Skills in materials, fabrication, tools and measuring devices in the automotive environment
- Â Competency in making learning possible through demonstrations and instruction
- Â Competency in identifying and agreeing motor vehicle customer service needs
- Â Knowledge of health, safety and good housekeeping in the automotive environment
- Â Knowledge of support for job roles in the automotive work environment
- Â 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 skillsÂ
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.
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 in person, online and through your workplace 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 consisted on online tests and practical assessments and you must pass these to move on to the next year and complete your apprenticeship.
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 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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