Level 3 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship

Course overview

A 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/garage functions from a commercial perspective and identify ways in which they can work more efficiently. Technicians working in large dealerships work with other departments, for example carrying out work for the Sales Department and ordering parts from the Parts Department, whereas apprentices in smaller independent garages may be called upon to carry out some of the function of the other departments themselves, for example managing their own delivery of parts.

The technician will work on all the systems found within the vehicle. The day-to-day work ranges from replacing simple parts through to solving complex faults with the use of diagnostic methods and equipment. The tasks faced are constantly changing, driven by the introduction of ever more complex technologies and diagnostic techniques.

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 and this is reflected in the elements of the Standard described below.

Technicians must understand legislative, regulatory, and ethical requirements impacting vehicle service and repair, including health and safety and environmental procedures. They should comprehend the industry’s structure, operational aspects, business targets, workshop maintenance procedures, routine servicing and inspection protocols, vehicle components and systems, fault types and diagnostics, legal requirements for modifications and accessories, advanced systems like electrical, braking, suspension, engine, and transmission, emissions standards, alternative fuels, and hybrid/electric systems.

Professionals in this field should contribute to maintaining a safe and efficient workshop environment, prioritize safety, perform fundamental removal and replacement tasks, access diagnostic information, interpret wiring diagrams, utilize diagnostic equipment, follow diagnostic procedures, report faults, carry out repairs including complex procedures, test repaired components, adhere to business processes, complete documentation, use ICT for communication and research, conduct vehicle services, and ensure vehicles meet quality standards.

The standard emphasizes behaviours like taking responsibility and being honest and accountable, working effectively as part of a team, aligning behaviour with company values, showing respect and courtesy to colleagues and customers, building effective relationships, gaining trust and addressing concerns, communicating effectively, delivering excellent results, contributing to problem-solving discussions, suggesting efficiency improvements and contributing to business growth, continuously learning and improving performance, sharing knowledge and skills, and demonstrating a passion for engineering.