Apprentice Smart Technician

Apprentice Smart Technician - BMW Hailsham

As an Apprentice Smart Technician in our Bodyshop, you’ll be a key part of the Retail Centre, learning how to carry out high-quality cosmetic and minor vehicle repairs. You’ll work alongside experienced technicians to develop your skills and ensure every vehicle meets our high standards before reaching the customer.

This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career with a successful, global automotive group, gaining hands-on experience, industry-recognised training, and clear progression opportunities.

What we can offer you

• Enjoy 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) to rest and recharge
• Save money every day with our exclusive retail discounts
• Drive a great deal with discounts on new and used cars, plus servicing offers
• Plan for the years ahead with our company pension scheme
• Balance home and work with our industry-leading family-friendly policies designed to help you spend more time with the people that matter
• Commute for less with our cycle-to-work scheme
• Prioritise your wellbeing with dedicated support for you and your family
• 24/7 access to healthcare professionals, ensuring you get the expert advice you need quickly and easily
• Make a difference with a paid day to volunteer in your community
• Invest in your future with our company share purchase plan
• Earn financial rewards when you refer a friend to join the team
• Keep learning and growing with our training and development opportunities for everyone.
• Life assurance with the option to increase cover
• We’re open to flexible working options – just ask

What you’ll do day to day

• Learn how to prepare vehicles to a high standard for cosmetic repairs
• Develop skills in preparing, painting, and refurbishing alloy wheels, including diamond-cutting techniques, to achieve high-quality finishes
• Assist in identifying minor damage and determining required repairs
• Carry out small area repair techniques under supervision
• Support the finishing and detailing of vehicles to a consistently high standard
• Build and maintain strong product knowledge and repair expertise
• Contribute to delivering excellent customer service
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised working environment

Helpful skills and qualifications

Don’t worry about ticking off every single skill here – if you care about delivering great experiences as much as we do, we want to hear from you.

• A genuine interest in the automotive industry
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good time management skills
• A full UK driving licence (or working towards obtaining one)
• No previous experience is required—full training will be provided as part of your apprenticeship.

We value diversity and believe it strengthens our team. If you don’t meet every requirement listed but are enthusiastic about this role and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply.

Be part of something big

Group 1 Automotive is on an exciting growth journey. We are home to over 7,000 colleagues dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, with 114 dealerships in the UK, representing 21 brands at the forefront of automotive retail.

But you don’t need to love cars to work with us – you just need to share our mission to create outstanding and trusted experiences for our customers, our partners, and our people.

Our Values

At Group 1 Automotive, we pride ourselves on our five core values that are incorporated in all we do.

Respect - Integrity - Transparency - Teamwork - Professionalism

These are the principles that every member of our team lives by, whether in business functions, customer interactions, how we engage with the local community, or how we work together as a team.