Volkswagen Summers Motors Ashford Paint Technician Apprenticeship

13634

VWG - P&B
Summer Motors ARC
Carl Birkby
carl.birkby@inspirolearning.co.uk
8
MET Level 2 Framework (Level 2)
1 September 2026

Throughout Volkswagen we have a rigorous commitment to quality and excellence. Our products are highly acclaimed, our processes for distribution and support services are world class and we have some of the most technologically advanced resources in any industry. 

The Volkswagen Apprenticeship Programme is designed to train and develop apprentices to keep pace with advancing technology and high levels of customer service. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to receive formal qualifications through extensive product training whilst in full-time employment at one of our retailers. 

Job Description 

Volkswagen Group (VWG) is one of the UK’s largest car retailers encompassing premium brands such as Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, TPS, Volkswagen Group Paint and Body and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.  

Our network of Volkswagen Group approved Paint and Body centres delivers a first class service to customers using teams of highly trained experts and the same paint, parts and materials that are used at our factories.  

Our apprenticeship programme gives you the opportunity to become part of this network, working within an approved body shop and receiving world class training from our industry experts. 

Our Paint Technicians work within the Volkswagen Group Approved Repairer network to help return our customers vehicles back to factory standards following accidents including bumps and scrapes. This means that our customer’s vehicles will become as good as new.  

Paint Technicians are responsible for preparing vehicles to be painted after damage has occurred or once panels have been replaced. This will include repairing minor scratches to match the rest of the vehicle. Some of the day-to-day duties include:  

  • Ensuring all parts have been stripped from the vehicle in order for it to be painted. 
  • Sanding down relevant area and adjoining area for blending.  
  • Masking out areas to be treated. 
  • Etching and priming areas to be treated.  
  • Selecting matching and mixing colours using the approved Volkswagen Group colour palette. 
  • Spray painting panels or vehicle parts using a variety of techniques to ensure a factory standard finish.  

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking individual to join our team and embark on a long term career, with excellent earning and progression opportunities once you complete your apprenticeship. 

Training provided 

Training will be delivered using a combination of virtual classroom remote learning and face-to-face block release weeks at our state-of-the-art training centre.  

Successful applicants must be prepared to travel to the Inspiro Learning Centre, in Doncaster, to complete their apprenticeship training. All training-related costs are fully covered as part of the programme, including travel, accommodation, and meals. 

In the workplace, your personal, dedicated mentor will support your continued learning as you apply the skills and knowledge you have gained through the remote sessions and at the Inspiro Learning Centre. 

This is a fully rounded training experience where you will build life skills that last and gain both apprenticeship qualifications and brand certifications. 

Qualifications received 

On successful completion of the three-year apprenticeship programme, you will receive the following qualification (or the equivalent qualification for your devolved nation): 

  • Level 3 Vehicle Damage Paint Technician Apprenticeship  
  • Brand certifications   

 

Future prospects 

Volkswagen Group (VWG) is one of the UK’s largest car retailers encompassing premium brands such as Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, TPS, Volkswagen Group Paint and Body and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This network of retailers spans the UK, providing a wide range of career opportunities.  

Once your apprenticeship is complete, you will continue your learning journey and you will have the opportunity drive your career forward. Some of our apprentices have gone on to become team leaders and managers within the retail network or even joined our team at Head Office in Milton Keynes.

GCSE grades 9 – 4 (A – C) or equivalent in English, Maths and Science.

In Scotland, applicants must have or be predicted to achieve Scottish National 5 Grades A - C or above in English, Maths and either a Science or Technical subject.  

'Equivalent' grades include:

BTEC first diplomas and certificates

OCR Nationals

Key Skills Level 2

NVQs

Essential Skills (Wales)

Functional Skills Level 2

Core Skills (Scotland)

We accept predicted grades and conditional offers can be made based on predicted grades.
Our ideal Vehicle Damage Panel Technician will have an eye for detail and perfection with the passion to deliver excellent service for our customers.

We are looking for people who are passionate about our industry and our brand. Some of the personal skills that you should think about showing us in your application are:

Enthusiasm and willingness to learn

Teamwork

Strong communication

Customer Service

Interest in vehicle engineering
As part of our commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, all applications are automatically anonymised by our recruitment system. This is with the aim of realising our ambition to have a workforce that is reflective of the community we serve and eliminating unconscious bias, allowing employees to be appointed based on their talent, skills and experiences regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.

English and Maths guidance from the government changed on 11th February 2025. This employer wishes to support upskilling in both English and Maths by exception and as such the entry grade criteria as advertised still applies.

We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications. We therefore advise candidates to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please do not contact the retailer directly. Inspiro Learning carry out the full recruitment service for this employer. Due to the high number of applications, we cannot provide a timescale on when you are likely to receive a response. As most of our roles are recruited for on an ongoing basis, we will contact you if you are successful at progressing to the next step. It is not possible for us to contact every applicant individually. If you have not heard back on a specific vacancy but find another opportunity that is of interest to you, we welcome an additional application
In order to be considered for this role, you are required to complete an online application via the link listed. Your online application will be forwarded to our specialist recruitment team. If you are successful in your application, they will talk to you directly and guide you through the next stages of application.