Overview of the Role

A Vehicle Damage Paint Technician works in the vehicle body repair sector of the motor industry. The role is to prepare, spray and finish vehicles that have been involved in collisions and other incidents in an efficient manner. The vehicles can include Cars/Light Commercial Vehicles. This includes ensuring correct colour match and final finish to the company and customer’s exacting standards. They usually work within a collision repair workshop or smart repair workshop/mobile repair micro business and work alongside another fully qualified Paint Technician.

An employee in this occupation understands the general principles of spray painting technology, paint composition, paint mixing and the various methods of paint spraying vehicles.

They prepare vehicles fully before painting to include masking, sanding and other necessary preparation work.

They are also responsible for keeping all company tools and equipment safe and in a clean, workable condition, paying particular attention to the reduction of any fire hazards.

Their role includes repair, surface preparation and painting to the manufacturer paint specification. A technician is able to follow defined processes to restore the vehicle to a high-quality paint finish. This includes being able to demonstrate colour identification and select the correct materials such as primers, base coats and lacquers applied using spray equipment and utilising modern drying/curing techniques such as Ultra Violet (UV), Infrared and catalytic solutions used in the refinishing of vehicles. They are able to create a safe environment, work efficiently and reduce waste.

They usually work as part of a team and under supervision.

Gateway Requirements

  • Confirmation from the employer that they are confident the apprentice is occupational competent
  • Level 2 English and Maths
  • A Portfolio of Evidence to be used in the Professional Discussion.

Knowledge Test

  • Online exam 90 minutes containing 60 questions:
    • Part 1 – Application Techniques
    • Part 2 – Drying and Curing
    • Part 3 – Tools/Equipment
    • Part 4 – Calculation/Estimation
  • Graded as Fail/Pass/Distinction.

Skills Test

  • A two-day practical observation of the apprentice in a controlled environment.
    • A range of 5 practical tasks, providing an opportunity for the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and behaviours.
    • Graded as Fail/Pass/Distinction.

Professional Discussion

  • 45 minutes structured discussion:
    • Apprentice portfolio used to exemplify performance
    • Assesses selected knowledge, skills and behaviours
    • Graded as Fail/Pass/Distinction.

Overall Grade and Certification

  • Graded Fail/Pass/Distinction
  • We’ll activate certification once the apprentice has successfully completed all EPAs, and the IEPA has verified this. Working with the apprenticeship certificate issuing authority, we’ll ensure the apprentice receives their certificate.

For further information regarding the apprenticeship standard and assessment plan, including the full details of the assessment methods, please see the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website.