Gemini Accident Repair Group is offering an exciting and unique opportunity for apprentice vehicle accident repair technicians to join their highly successful and growing organisation. They will learn skills in car body, paint and mechanical and electrical trim repair and become an industry specific qualified technician.
The Gemini Apprenticeship Programme provides you with an exciting and challenging opportunity to achieve formal qualifications through extensive product training, while in full-time employment.
Gemini ARC was established in July 2008, their experience in running highly efficient and professional bodyshops spans over 20 years. With 18 locations across the country, they have partnerships with most major insurance companies and vehicle manufacturers demonstrating their commitment to quality and maintaining their goal of making the repair journey as stress free as possible for the customers.
The Gemini Apprenticeship Programme provides you with an exciting and challenging opportunity to achieve formal qualifications through extensive product training, while in full-time employment.
A Multi-Skilled Vehicle Accident Repair Technician repairs all elements of a vehicle after it has taken some type of collision damage. This will involve learning the skills required to take an accident damaged vehicle through various stages of repair to the pre-accident condition.
These fall into three main areas of skills training:
- MET-Mechanical, Electrical & Trim. Candidates will learn strip and refit processes of all main vehicle systems including air conditioning, vehicle alignment and Hybrid & Electric vehicle systems.
- Panel-repair. Candidates will learn to repair bodywork by replacing panels, filling defects and carrying out techniques such as welding, bond and riveting and correcting misalignment.
- Paint-surface repair. Candidates will learn how to prepare surfaces and carry out paint refinishing through the following techniques; sealing, masking, priming, application of base coat and lacquer, repairing defects and polishing.
In addition to the above techniques, the employer will also provide successful candidates with additional training to achieve industry qualifications in the following techniques, throughout the programme.
- British Standard Welding Certificate
- Refrigerant Handler
- Electric and Hybrid Repair
- Senior Accredited Assessment
The post holder will also be required to complete any other tasks deemed by the line manager as appropriate in line with the role.
The programme lasts for 30 months. The training incorporates underpinning knowledge in partnership and managed by EMTEC Colleges.
Throughout the duration of the programme the candidates will be expected to travel to EMTEC’s training centre in Nottingham for 24 separate weeks to carry out skills training. The first block is two weeks followed by individual one week blocks. Residential accommodation will be provided if required for the candidates.
Candidates will work towards achieving the Accident Repair Technician Apprenticeship Standard for the Automotive Bodyshop Industry at Level 3. They will also be required to study towards achieving level 2 maths and English functional skills if they do not already hold equivalent qualifications.
Regular visits to the repair centre from EMTEC Vocational Learning Advisors will take place, who will observe all evidence opportunities that occur naturally in the workplace.
Candidates will be expected to engage in self-directed learning outside of normal working hours, which will be monitored and tracked through an online e‑portal.
In addition to this, as part of the programme the employer is offering additional off the job training to achieve the following qualifications, in order to bring the candidate to the required skills level for Gemini ARC Multiskills Technicians
The following additional qualifications will be included:
British Standard Welding accreditation BS1140 & BS4872 covering the range of .5mm to 2.5mm material (to include IMI AOM009), MIG brazing, and achieve IMI AOM133 Bonding & Riveting.
- EC842 Refrigerant Handling
- IMIAL L3 Electric & Hybrid Repair & Maintenance
- Senior Automotive Technician Accreditation
Entry Requirements
The ideal candidate will have:
- Good communication skills
- An enthusiasm to learn with an interest in development and progression
- A mature attitude
- Good team-working skills
The ideal candidate will be:
- Hardworking
- Punctual Reliable
- Able to use own initiative
- Career minded
- Practically minded with a ‘hands on’ approach to problem solving
Skills Required
- Hard working
- Good communication skills
- Team player
- Self-motivated, with drive and passion
- IT literate
- Keen interest in cars and the general motor vehicle industry
- Enjoys practical work with meticulous attention to detail
Qualifications required:
5 GCSEs at grade A* to D/9 to 3 (or equivalent) including Maths and English are essential. Science and ICT are desirable
The Application Process
Current Vacancies
Applications can be made via our vacancies page where you are able to view the UK dealers who have an Apprentice vacancy.
On applying for a particular vacancy you will be asked to complete an online assessment and upload your CV. You will then receive a telephone call to discuss your interest in becoming a Gemini Apprentice.
If you are successful at this stage of the recruitment process you will be invited for a face to face interview with the dealer. Dealers will make their employment decisions based upon the most suitable applicant for their position.
How to apply
On applying for a particular vacancy you will be asked to complete an online assessment and upload your CV.
You will then receive a telephone call to discuss your interest in becoming a Gemini Apprentice.
If you are successful at this stage of the recruitment process you will be invited for a face to face interview with the dealer.
Repair Centre managers will make their employment decisions based upon the most suitable applicant for their position.
FAQs
The current National Minimum Wage (NMW) rate for apprentices is £6.40 per hour, however, Gemini are pleased to offer £1 per hour more than the minimum. This applies to 16 – 18 year old apprentices and those aged over 18 in the first year of their Apprenticeship. For all other apprentices the National Minimum Wage appropriate to their age applies. The Minimum Wage for Apprentices applies to time spent on the job plus time spent training.
- Candidate must be available to start immediately. Candidate must be able to travel to the workplace according to working hours.
- Candidates will be asked to complete a week-long work trial with the employer as part of the recruitment and selection process for the role.
- Due to the requirements of the role, candidates are required either hold, or be willing to work towards achieving a full clean driving licence.
- There will be an opportunity for candidates to apply for employee benefits including a cycle to work scheme, and support towards achieving their motorcycle or car driving licence in accordance with certain terms and conditions. Information will be provided when the role has been accepted.
Gemini Accident Repair Apprenticeship Programme
"Hello, my name is Cory Middleton and I am an apprentice at Gemini Nuneaton.
I started working at Gemini on 4th September 2017 and I’ve loved every minute of it. I like being an apprentice here because it gives me such a great career path to take.
When I left school I failed most of my GCSE’s and I had no idea what I was going to do. I went to college to work on cars and then the apprenticeship scheme came up at Gemini and it was the best decision I have ever made.
Being an apprentice not only helps me learn but I also earn a competitive wage, which, in my opinion, is better than sitting at home. With Gemini we get an onsite mentor with MET, Paint and Panel this is good because I can gain knowledge from their experiences of being on the shop floor and I always know that they are there to guide me when I get stuck. I also feel confident that I am being taught in the correct manner. I get a week release from work every 6 weeks to go to a college in Nottingham, this helps me further my learning and I also get to meet other apprentices who work for Gemini, but at different branches, the college is great and the facilities they have there are excellent. I feel safe when I’m there and I can leave the college knowing I’ve learnt all I could in that week.
When I first came to Gemini I was clueless but where I am at now is a different story, I can confidently ask my manager for a job to bring in and strip it down to order new parts. As for the future I want to continue working at Gemini and just generally bettering my skills as a multi skilled technician.
To sum up my apprenticeship with Gemini the best thing about working here is that it’s like a little family, everyone gets along with each other and it’s just a great team to be apart of."
Cory Middleton
