Accident Repair Body & Paint Level 1


  • Start Date: 01/09/2026
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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  • Learning Support:
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Our Level 1 programme offers an exciting introduction to the skills and knowledge needed to work in the automotive accident repair industry. This hands-on course allows learners to explore key areas of vehicle body repair, paint refinishing, and workshop practices in a real-world training environment.

Students will develop essential practical abilities such as preparing vehicle panels, using body repair tools, understanding basic paint techniques, and working safely in a professional workshop. The course also builds confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, helping learners understand how modern vehicle repair businesses operate.

This qualification provides an excellent foundation for progressing to higher-level automotive programmes and opens the door to future career pathways within the accident repair and refinishing sector.

Assessment

You are assessed through a mix of practical and written tasks designed to showcase your developing skills and understanding of accident repair.

Assessment is continuous throughout the course, giving you plenty of opportunities to demonstrate progress and build confidence.

Assessment typically includes:
  • Practical workshop tasks – You’ll complete hands-on activities such as panel preparation, basic refinishing, and tool use, showing you can apply techniques safely and correctly.
  • Knowledge checks – Short written or online assessments help confirm understanding of health and safety, repair methods, and industry standards.
  • Portfolio building – You’ll gather evidence of your work, including photos, worksheets, and tutor observations, to create a record of your achievements.
  • Professional behaviours – Tutors also look at attendance, teamwork, communication, and safe working practices as part of overall competence.

Together, these methods ensure you are fully supported and can clearly demonstrate your readiness to progress to the next level.

Our teaching team are all industry experts with many years of experience working in the automotive sector.

As part of your course, you will be given the opportunity to take up a work placement with one of our employer partners to get a taste of the world of work and to further enhance your skills and knowledge.

Over 90% of our learners progress onto the next level or secure apprenticeships with local employers.

You’ll study in our state-of-the-art Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics on Team Valley in Gateshead. This academy is fully equipped with dedicated vehicle maintenance workshops, body workshop and paint workshop.

You will be required to buy blue overalls and steel toe cap boots, these can be purchased at a discounted rate through the college.

Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.

We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.

Our specialist teams can help with:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Physical and sensory disabilities
  • Dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodiversity or other specific learning difficulties
  • Mental health and well being
  • Exam access arrangements
  • Money, finance and bursary advice
  • Careers advice, job and university applications

      See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, or call us on 0191 490 4627.

    • You should have passed at least one GCSE and gained at least a 2 in Maths & English or be working towards a Level 1 Functional Skills. Completion of an initial assessment will also be required.

      If you are 19+ and don’t meet the requirements, you will be assessed on relevant experience and skills.

      This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.

      Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.

      For one to one advice, contact our friendly team who will assess your individual circumstances and give you the right information. You can contact them on Call 0191 490 2430 or email [email protected] or via Live Chat. Or pop along to one of our Enrolment Events.

      WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN ACCIDENT REPAIR BODY & PAINT LEVEL 1?

      • Vehicle Body Builders and Repairers
      • Vehicle Technicians, Mechanics and Electricians

      Knowledge

      Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

      Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

      Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

      English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

      Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

      Median Salary
      £33,017

      Average Qualifications
      Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

      Find Out More

      Knowledge

      Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

      Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

      Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

      Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

      Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

      Median Salary
      £34,414

      Average Qualifications
      Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

      Find Out More

      Pathways

      Transportation Maintenance
      People in these occupations maintain and service transport vehicles and specialised vehicle systems.

      Skills

      Learning Strategies
      Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
      Critical Thinking
      Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
      Mathematics
      Using mathematics to solve problems.
      Reading Comprehension
      Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
      Writing
      Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
      Active Listening
      Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
      Active Learning
      Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
      Monitoring
      Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
      Speaking
      Talking to others to convey information effectively.
      Science
      Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

      Skills

      Active Learning
      Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
      Reading Comprehension
      Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
      Critical Thinking
      Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
      Learning Strategies
      Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
      Active Listening
      Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
      Speaking
      Talking to others to convey information effectively.
      Mathematics
      Using mathematics to solve problems.
      Monitoring
      Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
      Writing
      Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
      Science
      Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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      School Leaver Course Guide 2026/2027

      View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

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