Vocational.uk The route, drawn out

Motor Vehicle & Transport

Vehicle Damage Panel Technician

Repair and replace crash-damaged bodywork and structures to manufacturer standards.

Steady demand Level 3 apprenticeship
Typical pay once qualified
£30,000 – £45,000
Training length
3 years
Apprenticeship standard
Vehicle damage panel technician
Where to train
210 providers listed

The route, drawn out

DWG 6F26 · 5 stops · 3 years to qualify
  1. Day one Start as an apprentice from £15.6k
  2. Year 2 Training continues, pay rises min. £21.2k+
  3. 3 years Fully qualified around £30k
  4. +3–5 years Experienced up to £45k
  5. Then Manufacturer-approved and aluminium repair… next step

The first figures are legal minimums: the apprentice rate (£8.00/hr) and the National Minimum Wage for 18–20s and 21+ from April 2026, on a 37.5-hour week. Qualified and experienced pay are indicative UK ranges — most employers pay apprentices above the minimum.

What the job is

Panel technicians put crashed cars back to the shape and strength the manufacturer designed. Modern vehicles use bonded aluminium, high-strength steels and composites, so the work involves jigs, measuring systems and approved repair methods rather than hammers alone.

Accident repair is steady work regardless of the economy, and manufacturer-approved technicians are in demand across bodyshop networks.

A typical day

  • Assess damage and plan the repair method
  • Remove, repair and replace panels and structural sections
  • Use jigs and measuring systems to restore alignment
  • Weld, bond and rivet to manufacturer specification
  • Prepare repaired areas for the paint shop

How you get in

  • GCSE grade 3 (D) or above in maths and English is typical, or Functional Skills
  • Good eye for shape and finish
  • Patience with fine, repetitive work
  • Manufacturer schemes may include aptitude assessment

Where it leads

  • Manufacturer-approved and aluminium repair qualifications
  • MET (mechanical, electrical, trim) technician skills
  • Estimator or bodyshop workshop controller
  • Vehicle damage assessor roles

Where to train for this

210 colleges and training providers on our list cover Vehicle Damage Panel Technician training. Open your region to see them, then check current intakes with the provider directly.

East Midlands 15
East of England 17
London 10
North East 13
North West 26
South East 24
South West 18
UK-wide 9
West Midlands 22
Yorkshire and the Humber 16
East Scotland 6
North Scotland 6
West Scotland 7
North Wales 2
South Wales 8
West Wales 2
Northern Ireland 6
Channel Islands 2
Isle of Man 1

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