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Entry Level 3 Car Body Repair Course in Gateshead

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyInstitute of the Motor Industry awarding body
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About this course

Level 1 Car Body Repair Course in Gateshead. Classes run at Gateshead College Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics, full-time during the day. It's free if you're 16 to 18 years old. If you're 19 or over, fees may apply depending on your circumstances. This practical, hands-on car body repair course runs for one year. You'll work in industry-standard workshops on real vehicles, covering both body repair and paint refinishing. You'll complete two qualifications by the end of the programme. Assessment is through practical tasks, online tests, and a portfolio of evidence.

Who this course is for

This course is practical and hands-on, giving you the essential skills, knowledge and experience you need to start preparing for a career in the body repair industry. In addition to gaining a formal qualification in Body Repair you will also complete a Paint Refinishing qualification, so that by the end of your programme you'll achieve 2 qualifications and have the skills and experience of both of these specialist areas. You'll be working in the very best training body repair and paint workshops on the latest vehicles and industry standard resources. You will also be given the opportunity to take up a work experience to get a taste of the industry, working with local employers to further enhance your skills and knowledge. What will I study? The course helps you develop the technical skills needed by today's motor vehicle repair industry, including basic processes, principles and foundation skills. It will provide you with the essential knowledge you need to work as a technician working on a wide range of vehicles in all types of garages, dealerships and specialist body repair shops. You'll study both the theory and practical aspects of: -Vehicle body repair techniques -Vehicle fabrication and welding -All aspects of paint refinishing -And moving loads and vehicle jacking. The first six weeks of the course gives you a chance to experience the different aspects of the Automotive industry including Mechanical, Servicing, Body Repair and Paint. After this you will have gained the experience and knowledge to make a decision to which discipline you want to follow as your career path. The course is structured to give you the best practical experience in your chosen area delivered by tutors who are all industry experts with many years of experience. As part of your course you will also attend Maths and English sessions and have the opportunity to improve your GCSE grades and gain a broad knowledge and understanding of health and safety in the workplace.

Entry requirements

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed throughout the programme by use of practical assessments within our workshops and also via online assessments. You will also need to build a portfolio of evidence that will be submitted to the awarding body at the end of the programme.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught in our state of the art workshops working on the latest vehicles supported by tutors with years of industrial experience. The majority of this programme will be in the workshops working on vehicles and within the body and paintshops.

Qualifications needed

No formal qualifications but you'll need to take an initial assessment.

No formal requirements, just a positive attitude and a commitment to developing practical skills.

No previous qualifications are required for this programme, however acceptance can only be given as a result of a successful pre course interview.

There are no formal entry qualifications for this programme but you will need to show that you have a keen interest and are motivated for a career in the motor industry.

Required experience

We welcome all applicants without any prior experience or knowledge in this area. You will need motivation to achieve and have a passion to gain skills enabling you to progress this as a career in the future.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop practical skills in automotive body repair techniques.
  • You'll learn how to prepare vehicle surfaces for repair and refinishing.
  • You'll apply paint refinishing methods to industry standards.
  • You'll build a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your skills and knowledge.
  • You'll work with industry-standard tools and equipment in a professional workshop setting.
  • You'll gain knowledge of health and safety practices in an automotive workshop.

How you will learn

Most of your learning takes place in state-of-the-art automotive workshops, working on vehicles with support from tutors who have industry experience. You'll be assessed through practical assessments in the workshops and online assessments. You'll also build a portfolio of evidence throughout the programme, which is submitted to IMI at the end of the course.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Gateshead College Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Car body repairer. Repair and restore damaged vehicle bodywork.
  • Paint refinisher. Apply professional finishes to repaired vehicles.
  • Panel beater. Reshape and repair vehicle body panels.
  • Accident repair technician. Work in bodyshops on insurance repair jobs.
  • Vehicle preparation technician. Prepare vehicles for paint and finishing work.

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair Body and Paint. The natural next step after this course, building on your body repair and paint refinishing skills to a higher standard.
  • Automotive apprenticeship. Combine work and study to earn while you develop your skills further with an employer.
  • Level 3 NVQ in Vehicle Body Repair. The qualification that supports progression to skilled technician roles in the accident repair industry.
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