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Heavy vehicle service and maintenance technician

Heavy vehicle service and maintenance technician

Key information

Reference: ST0068
Date updated: 25/10/2024
Level: 3
Route: Engineering and manufacturing
Regulated occupation: No

Details of the occupational standard

Occupation summary

A Heavy Vehicle (HV) technician services, inspects and repairs HVs, categorised by the Department of Transport as category N2 or N3, and associated trailers, with the associated ancillaries. They work in either a dealership that focusses on a particular manufacturer, or for an independent garage, franchise or large fleet operator that deals with many different makes of vehicles. They work on all the systems found within the vehicle. The nature of the work ranges from replacing simple parts through to solving complex faults with the use of diagnostic methods and equipment. The day-to-day tasks faced by the technician are constantly changing, driven by the introduction of ever more complex technologies and diagnostic techniques. Today’s technician has to demonstrate expertise in the technical side of their role. They must have strong problem-solving skills and a good grasp of the theoretical and practical aspects of vehicles systems and associated ancillaries. They must be able to work independently but also operate as an effective team member, understanding how their workshop and the dealership/garage/branch functions from a commercial perspective, have good customer handling skills and identify ways in which they can work more efficiently. The growing complexity of today’s vehicles and the pressure to deliver a high-quality customer experience requires the retail automotive sector to attract and train high calibre individuals and this is reflected in the elements of the Standard described below.

Typical job titles include:

Heavy Vehicle Service Technician Heavy Vehicle Maintenance Technician HV Service Technician HV Maintenance Technician heavy vehicle mechanic HV mechanic truck mechanic truck technician Heavy Goods Vehicle Service Technician Heavy Goods Vehicle Maintenance Technician HGV Service Technician HGV Maintenance Technician lorry mechanic lorry technician bus engineer coach engineer heavy goods vehicle technician HGV mechanic mechanic

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The fundamentals of HV technologies e.g. HV chassis design, engine, fuels, transmissions, electrical (12/24v), air-conditioning, hydraulic and air braking, air suspension systems etc. Back to Duty

K2: The types and associated characteristics of HV and their configurations and applications. Back to Duty

K3: Diagnosing principles and logical problem solving techniques related to HV. Back to Duty

K4: Sufficient H&S knowledge and environmental awareness to carry out the work safely. Back to Duty

K5: Operators “O” Licence requirements relating to HVs. Back to Duty

K6: How to service, inspect and maintain vehicles and trailers to the expected standards and the importance of safety inspection and maintenance schedules to meet Operator’s (O) licence and legal obligations. Back to Duty

K7: Customer expectations and implications of work carried out. Back to Duty

K8: The need to be reliable, flexible, diligent and good timekeeper. Back to Duty

K9: How the business works from an operational perspective and demonstrate commercial and financial awareness in the HV industry. Back to Duty

K10: Complex problem solving techniques. Back to Duty

K11: The requirements of providing roadside assistance. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Carry out the basic tasks with tools and equipment common to all procedures involving basic mechanical and electrical procedures related to HV Back to Duty

S2: The ability to keep updated with emerging new technologies within the HV industry. Back to Duty

S3: Contribute to the maintenance of a safe and efficient workshop and adhere to the company and legislative processes. Back to Duty

S4: Access specific and related HV technical information appropriately. Back to Duty

S5: The ability to service, inspect and maintain HVs and trailers to meet company, Driver and vehicle standards agency (DVSA) and manufacturers’ standards. Back to Duty

S6: Use a range of diagnostic and electrical measuring equipment to identify faults and underlying causes on HV’s. Back to Duty

S7: Successfully inspect and prepare vehicles and trailers to meet DVSA standards prescribed in the tester’s manual. Back to Duty

S8: Carry out final quality checks before handover to the customer without supervision. Back to Duty

S9: Apply advanced diagnostic principles and logical/problem solving techniques and regimes. Back to Duty

S10: Maintain records to company and operators’ licence obligations and regulation. Back to Duty

S11: To be able to communicate effectively in both oral and written mediums both internally and with customers on a range of topics that will support, HV inspection and diagnosing techniques. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Behave in accordance with the values of the company they work for whether manufacturer or independent to treat customers and stakeholders with courtesy and respond quickly to their requirements to ensure an excellent experience. Back to Duty

B2: Operate effectively as a team member taking ownership and responsibility when required and be honest and accountable in all activities when things do not go as planned. Back to Duty

B3: To work at continuous development of both self, team and processes. Back to Duty

IMI Level 3 Technical Specialist in Heavy Electric/Hybrid Vehicle System Repair and Replacement (Award)

Qualification type: TQ

Qualification level: 3

Awarding organisation: The Institute of the Motor Industry

Approval date: 07/03/2024

Occupational pathway: N/A

Qualification category: Additional specialist technical qualifications

Age range: 16-19 and adults

Work placement: No

Aligned occupational standards

ST0068 Heavy vehicle service and maintenance technician

End-point assessment (EPA plan)

Rigorous robust and independent assessment undertaken by an apprentice at the end of training to test that the apprentice can perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) set out in the occupational standard

End-point assessment organisation (EPAO)

An organisation approved to deliver end-point assessment for a particular apprenticeship standard. EPAOs must be on the register of end-point assessment organisations

Holistic or synoptic

Assessment of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in an integrated way i.e. assessing several KSBs at the same time

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB)

What is needed to competently undertake the duties required for an occupational standard

Valid

Referred to in relation to assessment methods; fit for purpose

Change request policy

Most changes to an apprenticeship are made as a result of a holistic review of it. We prioritise the need for such reviews based on a range of factors. These include:

the time since the apprenticeship was developed or last reviewed (taking account of its typical duration)
the existence of any known problems with it (e.g. lower than expected starts, low achievement rate, high withdrawal rate, any issues with the availability of training or end-point assessment provision)
whether the apprenticeship is currently subject to a dispensation
the relative significance of the apprenticeship based on how many users it has

The availability of an employer group to support a review and its potential impact on any related technical education product also inform the timing of a review.

Details of apprenticeships that are currently being revised or adjusted are available in our revisions and adjustments status report.

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