Dial-a-Ride Apprenticeship

Summary

You will work on the Dial-a-Ride (DaR) fleet, which offers a free, door-to-door transport service for mobility-impaired people. You will learn about general maintenance of all the vehicles and the latest technology and innovations we’re exploring, including projects in electric buses, kinetic energy regeneration and storage and thermal energy.

Wage: £25,294 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle (level 3)
Hours: Monday- Friday, 7am-3:30pm (approx). Working in a mechanical workshop. Significant manual activity, Work location will move from Progress house 5 Mandela Way SE1 5SS to West Ham Bus Garage, London, E16 4SA in Dec 2025 (approx)
35 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 8 September
Duration: 3 years 6 months
Positions available: 2

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Working at the main maintenance centre
Dealing with the service maintenance and repair of our modern fleet of Euro 6 ULEZ compliant vehicles
Placements in the following areas:
- Vehicle inspections
- Fault diagnosis
- Brake roller testing
- Emissions testing

Where you’ll work

Progress House

5 Mandela Way

London

SE1 5SS

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

NORTH LONDON GARAGES GTA

Your training course

Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Contribute to the maintenance of a safe and efficient workshop. Segregate waste for disposal or recycling. Comply with industry environmental legislation.
Demonstrate due regard for own safety and that of others in the workshop and minimise risk of injury and vehicle damage.
Carry out fundamental tasks associated with removal and replacement procedures on a vehicle.
Obtain diagnostic and repair information.
Interpret diagnostic information and use electrical wiring diagrams to determine system serviceability.
Use a range of diagnostic equipment.
Follow recognised diagnostic procedures, logical diagnostic sequence and apply advanced diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques to establish faults.
Report faults using company procedures and recommend suitable further actions.
Follow recognised repair procedures to complete a wide range of repairs including those which involve complex procedures, or in depth knowledge.
Test the function of repaired and fitted components.
Adhere to business processes and complete documentation following workplace procedures.
Use ICT to create emails, word-process documents and carry out web based searches.
Complete a range of services and inspect and prepare a vehicle to the required quality standard for handover to the customer.
Contribute to the maintenance of a safe and efficient workshop. Segregate waste for disposal or recycling. Comply with industry environmental legislation.
Demonstrate due regard for own safety and that of others in the workshop and minimise risk of injury and vehicle damage.
Carry out fundamental tasks associated with removal and replacement procedures on a vehicle.
Obtain diagnostic and repair information.
Interpret diagnostic information and use electrical wiring diagrams to determine system serviceability.
Use a range of diagnostic equipment.
Follow recognised diagnostic procedures, logical diagnostic sequence and apply advanced diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques to establish faults.
Report faults using company procedures and recommend suitable further actions.
Follow recognised repair procedures to complete a wide range of repairs including those which involve complex procedures, or in depth knowledge.
Test the function of repaired and fitted components.
Adhere to business processes and complete documentation following workplace procedures.
Use ICT to create emails, word-process documents and carry out web based searches.
Complete a range of services and inspect and prepare a vehicle to the required quality standard for handover to the customer.

Your training plan

L3 Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle Apprenticeship Standard

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 (C))
Maths (grade 4 (C))

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Open
Caring
Adaptable

Other requirements

Significant manual activity is needed for this apprenticeship. For those who do not have a GCSEs or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English, you’ll be supported to achieve this before end point assessment. An initial check of your current Maths and English skills will be carried out before commencing the apprenticeship.

About this company

At TfL, our work goes beyond transport. We keep London moving – day in, day out. We’re about building stronger connections, and helping people do more of what they love. From sustainable futures to post-pandemic economic recovery, we’re constantly breaking new ground, and taking innovation to new heights. For our people, this is more than just a job. Our apprentices are pioneers, frontrunners, and mentors. And, with a culture built on support and flexibility that puts wellbeing first.

https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/apprenticeships (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household. Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel. Minimum 29 days annual leave (pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays and more!

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of this scheme, you’ll be a fully qualified light vehicle technician with a qualification that is recognised throughout the motor industry. Subject to availability, you could roll off into the position of Vehicle Maintenance Technician working on our fleet of 260 vehicles, or as a Vehicle Maintenance Assistant working across eight different locations in London. You may also benefit from opportunities that arise to further upskill, attending courses on the latest innovations such as Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Systems.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NORTH LONDON GARAGES GTA

earlycareerscampaigns@tfl.gov.uk

0203 005 1680

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000304205.

Apply now

Closes in 11 days (Friday 7 March)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

You must be 16 years old by 8th Sept 2025 to apply for this apprenticeship

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