Apprentice Vehicle Paint Sprayer Review
at Motability Operations
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Automotive Engineering
Coalville
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
4.7 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
At the start of the day, I would walk into my workspace with a clear idea to what I am meant to be doing, which would mainly consist of having to prepare a car for priming, I have been started on the shop floor in the priming department as it would help me develop my skills in both masking and the application of the product, during my first 2 weeks on the shop floor, my allocated mentor would show me how to mask out a panel and apply the primer correctly, he would then watch my methods of application and masking of the vehicle, after the 2 weeks, my mentor had the confidence to let me take on my own but smaller jobs, and over the following weeks, both my mentor's confidence and my self confidence had exceeded significantly and I can take on different jobs for myself within the priming department, whilst having my mentor making sure that I'm doing everything correctly.
Once the end of the day is near, I'd normally do a stock check to make sure everything is ready for use for the next day, and then we'd load up the booths with ready masked cars for the following day to be primed.
Once the end of the day is near, I'd normally do a stock check to make sure everything is ready for use for the next day, and then we'd load up the booths with ready masked cars for the following day to be primed.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I am enjoying every moment where I get the opportunity to develop my skills and put them to the test, I'm working in a state of the art workshop that has recently been built, whilst working alongside highly skilled Painters, Panel Technicians and MET Technicians that are always willing to help if you do require any.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Within the past 5 months of being at Motability Operations, I have developed a lot of skills and have even improved pre-existing skills as well, such as improved attention to detail, dexterity, masking of a vehicle, mixing of the primer, cleaning/maintenance of equipment, and most importantly, communication within a team
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is structured fairly well seeming as the site hadn't had been finished being built at the time, however, I did receive some training at Eyebox in Coventry as the refurb centre hadn't been open yet, I went there for 2 weeks and got taught how to fill in a dent as well as filling a dent in myself, priming a panel, painting and then lacquering the panel, this was a great way to start the apprenticeship as it gave me an insight on the whole repair process.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My Employer is always keen to make sure that I remain on track with what I'm meant to be doing to enhance my learning experience such as allocating a set time for me to do studying as well as college work, monthly one to ones are always a good way to make sure that I am staying on track as well as setting myself some targets to hit for when the next one to one is due.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
When it comes to EMTEC, it's set out exceptionally well with some training that I personally thought was not necessary such as Air Conditioning Refrigerant Training and that there are big gaps between blocks which isn't too bad as most of my development is at work, I haven't had any college lessons relevant to vehicle spray painting.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I have high hopes that EMTEC will provide exceptional training as they will have experienced tutors that will allow for me to develop in priming, painting and lacquering as well as improve the understanding of what each product does, however I cannot confirm as I haven't received any training in regards to painting from EMTEC
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are different Networks at Motability which if you choose to get involved in, you can socialise with those whom are similar to yourself, the company have also hosted an opening ceremony at the end of January where Team Brit, a racing team that Motability Operations sponsor visited and gave us an insight into the team and how they adapt their racing cars for disabled people as well as different motorsport based activities such as a racing simulator that has been set up the same way that the adapted racing cars would be set up, as well as a reaction test see who would hit the most lights in 30 seconds.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Motability Operations to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Motability Operations is a great place to learn new skills, to network with a lot of like minded people, and is overall a supportive environment, with the latest technology being installed throughout the new site, it's a great place to start out in the automotive industry, I enjoy every moment working at Motability and I believe that it is somewhere I am going to spend the majority of my career at.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Motability Operations?
It's a great foundation having helped a lot of people get their mobility back through the use of adapted vehicles, and everyone is all optimistic about ensuring that the quality of the vehicles are the best they can be, ensuring to have a keen eye for detail, enthusiasm for learning and overall a team player, they will go far and beyond.
