Level 2 Motor Vehicle Body Repair and Paint Refinishing


  • Start Date: 01/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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This course will give you the skills and training required to carry out repairs and paint refinishing to vehicles to an industry standard, making you ready for employment or an apprenticeship.

Studying with us, you ‘ll also get an additional qualifcations as part of the programme; a Level 2 Paint Refinishing qualification, giving you the best possible start for a career in the automotive repair industry. These qualifications also form part of the Accident Repair Apprenticeship, reducing any subsequent apprenticeship by one year, meaning you’ll be one step ahead of any rival candidates if you apply for this type of apprenticeship and more appealing to employers.

You will be working in our fantastic training workshops fully equipped with industry standard resources. This is a hands-on course with a focus on practical activities maximising the amount of time you will spend in our workshops.

Core modules will include:

  • Knowledge of health, safety and good housekeeping in the automotive environment
  • Knowledge of support for job roles in the automotive environment
  • Knowledge of materials, fabrication, tools and measuring devices used in the automotive environment

Specialist modules will include:

  • Removing and fitting non-permanently fixed motor vehicle body panels
  • Removing and replacing exterior motor vehicle panels including permanently fixed components
  • Minor motor vehicle exterior body panel repairs
  • Motor vehicle body MIG/MAG welding techniques
  • Motor vehicle body resistance spot welding operations
  • Motor vehicle construction and materials
  • Tools and equipment used in vehicle refinishing
  • Applying fillers and foundation materials
  • Preparing metal and pre-painted surfaces
  • Repairing minor paint defects

The units covered directly link to the current apprenticeship content meaning if you decide to progress to an apprenticeship your training time will be reduced by a year. This will put you ahead of the game compared to any rival candidates, making you more appealing to employers.

You will also attend maths and English sessions and have the opportunity to improve your GCSE grades, gain a broad knowledge and understanding of health and safety in the workplace and other skills associated with working in a garage giving you every opportunity to progress you career within automotive. You’ll also study aspects of electric and hybrid vehicles.

A variety of enrichment activities will also be organised throughout the year, including guest speakers from industry.

Assessment

You will be assessed via observation of practical activity, supported by verbal questioning and the completion of a practical assessment workbook which will contain a variety of practical tasks and knowledge based questions to cover all learning modules. You will also undertake written assessments and online multiple choice tests which will be graded as pass, merit, or distinction.

There will be an additional cost of £26.50 for safety boots and coveralls.

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 shop, two spray painting booths, welding facilities and a rolling road as well as social spaces, a café and access to a free gym and library.

During this course we ensure you develop employability skills and gain relevant experience, this level 2 qualification is designed to prepare students for future employment in the automotive sector giving you the knowledge and skills to progress onto an apprenticeship with an employer or further develop these skills on a Level 3 Body Repair and Paint Refinishing programme.

Motor vehicle technicians repair all types of vehicles including cars, vans, motorbikes and heavy vehicles like coaches and lorries. Their daily task could range from accident damage, restorations to custom body and paintwork.

As a technician, your duties would include:

  • Identifying faults
  • Advising customers if repairs are needed and how critical they are
  • Providing time and cost estimates for jobs
  • Carrying out repairs and replacing damaged parts
  • Road testing the vehicle to check the repair work
  • Carrying out routine servicing and checks.
  • You must have an appropriate Level 1 vocational qualification or good relevant experience of the automotive sector. A passion for motor vehicle would be advantageous and a good level of maths and English would be beneficial.

    Your teachers are 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.

    We currently have 180 apprentices with over 150 local employer partners including large manufacturing companies such as: 

    • Halfords
    • Arriva
    • Go North East
    • Bristol Street Motors
    • Bells Trucks
    • Nationwide Accident Repair
    • CF Recovery as well a number of small independent repairers and specialist dealers like Aston Workshop.

    School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

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

    Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026