Autocare Technician (Light vehicle) Apprenticeship

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

To be an Autocare Technician requires a unique combination of technical, retail and customer service skills. You will use a range of tools, measuring and diagnostic equipment to identify and repair simple system faults.

Note: This apprenticeship standard does not qualify apprentices to work on air-conditioning systems. Employers who require apprentices to work on air-conditioning systems must also provide the F-Gas qualification.

View our apprenticeship vacancies

As an Autocare Technician apprentice, you will have to demonstrate expertise not only in the technical elements of the role and have a good grasp of the practical and theoretical aspects of the vehicle systems you service, but you will also need 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.

You must be able to work as part of a team but also operate independently, understand how their centre operates from a commercial perspective and how their actions contribute to business results, whilst maintaining a high standard of workmanship.

You will develop a combination of technical, retail and customer service skills to work effectively within the industry. This will include how to:

• Carry out vehicle safety inspections and routine maintenance in line with specifications
• Complete approved documentation
• Communicate effectively
• Carry out replacement/repair and balancing of light vehicle tyres
• Use specialist tools and equipment, mechanical and electrical measuring tools and diagnostic equipment to identify and repair simple system faults
• Carry out replacement of components on vehicle systems including steering, suspension, braking, batteries and exhaust systems
• Maintain effective and safe working practices

During your time in college, you will learn more about the above tasks, which you will then be able to put into practice in your workplace.

You will be expected to work with limited supervision and take responsibility for the outcomes of your work, with support from your employer and City College as the training provider.

On successful completion of this apprenticeship you will be eligible to apply for IMI membership as a Registered Young Professional or as an Associate Member. There is no qualification embedded in this programme, but you will be required to complete a logbook.

More detailed information can be found on the apprenticeship standard website (new window).

As an apprentice, you can expect to undertake work-based learning with an employer who will pay you a wage. Throughout the duration of your apprenticeship, you will attend college for one day per week.

The rest of your training will take place in-house at your workplace by your employer and a qualified assessor who will visit you on-site who will complete assessments and progress reviews.

In order to complete the apprenticeship, you will undertake an End Point Assessment. It measures the knowledge, skills and behaviours each apprentice has developed and will include a knowledge test, practical observations and a professional discussion. This part of the apprenticeship is employer-led, so it will be your employer who decides if you are ready to undertake your End Point Assessment.

Learn in our large purpose-built motor vehicle workshop equipped with the latest diagnostic testing and repair facilities.

Candidates will typically have a minimum of GCSEs at grade 3/D or above (or equivalent) including English and maths. Evidence of this will need to be provided prior to starting your apprenticeship. Candidates without GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths (or level 2 functional skills) will need to take the tests for this level prior to taking their End Point Assessment (EPA).

To start an apprenticeship you will need an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice.  If you already have an employer please contact us. If you don't have an employer already, view our current apprenticeship vacancies. 

You will be required to attend a College interview prior to enrolling onto an apprenticeship.

You must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

On completion of this apprenticeship standard, you will be eligible to apply for IMI membership as a Registered Young Professional or if you wish as an Associate Member.

Information for Employers

Each apprenticeship needs to include 20% off-the-job training. This must amount to 20% of the apprentice’s contracted employment hours across the whole apprenticeship. Off-the-job training is learning undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship.

Off the Job Training should also be relevant to the knowledge, skills and behaviours detailed in the standard.

End Point Assessment

Each apprentice will need to undertake an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship.  It measures the knowledge, skills and behaviours each apprentice has developed. 

An apprentice can only take this assessment once all other aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed.  An apprentice needs to be completely ready to take this assessment and the employer and assessor will decide when the time is right.  A declaration will be signed by both the employer, apprentice and assessor.  If the apprentice fails the assessment, then there will be a re-sit charge, which is generally paid by the employer.

The EPA Consists of 3 discrete assessment methods:

1. Knowledge tests – two sections to complete

2. Practical observations – one day practical

3. Professional discussion