Apprentice HGV Mechanic / MOT Tester

Do you want to make a difference to road safety in Great Britain?
Would you like to gain an industry recognised qualification and earn while you learn?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!, + Gain practical experience repairing and maintaining heavy goods vehicles. This is undertaken via a work placement at a 3rd party workshop. Please note: some workshops might be an hour away from the advertised location.
+ Spend time away from home; this involves attending college overnight in the West Midlands for 8 blocks per year, lasting one week each, to work towards a qualification in heavy goods vehicle repair and maintenance. This is a mandatory part of the role.
+ Typically, spend one day a week shadowing a Vehicle Standards Assessor mentor at 3rd party testing facilities. Here you will learn the various processes and routines used in vehicle testing. This will be your full time role on completion of the apprenticeship.
For further information, please see the attached candidate pack.
Location Information
During your application, you should indicate which network you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each network. Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. There are 5 available positions for this role. Some of the networks advertised will not have posts available immediately. However, we will hold a Reserve List for up to 12 months and will be in touch with the successful candidates should they become available.
We advise you to carefully consider which network you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a network you have expressed a preference in, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on.
We may also offer candidates a network that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline.
Please note that lead locations have only been selected so it is easier for us to identify which network is of interest to you.
Please indicate your choice of network by selecting the location name as shown in bold below.
Networks available, This role is a Fixed Term appointment for a maximum length of 3 years, there will be a possibility of becoming a permanent Vehicle Standards Assessor once the apprenticeship has been completed.
There is a physical nature to the role, which will require climbing up into larger vehicles to inspect the inside. There is also a need to climb in and out of a pit to inspect the underside.
Due to the nature of the role, you will be expected to drive on DVSA business. You will be provided with a fully insured and taxed modern lease car, which is for both work and personal use. Other running costs are also covered. You can also have up to two additional drivers use the vehicle., As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:
+ Demonstrable experience of where you have been highly organised.
+ Demonstrable experience of where you have communicated effectively with a range of different people.
+ Your interest and exposure to Mechanics.
Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 500 words.
Sift and Interview Dates
The sift is due to take place from the 27th of August 2024.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held from the 9th of September 2024 (for a 3 week period).
This interview could be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We’ll try to meet the dates we’ve set out in the advert. But there may be occasions when these dates will change. We’ll give you plenty of notice of any important dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
+ An interview.
You’re encouraged to become familiar with the candidate pack attached, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
The Department for Transport recruits using Success Profiles. For each role, we consider what you need to demonstrate to be successful.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
You can read more about Success Profiles here.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes., Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

You have an interest in mechanics and have a great eye for detail.
You have excellent communications skills with the ability to adapt your delivery to suit a wide variety of audiences.
You will be highly organised and possess excellent analytical skills.
Within this role you will be working towards a Level 3 qualification in Heavy Goods and Vehicle Maintenance. You will also be learning how to conduct MOT tests on lorries and buses to set you up for your future career with us., + Be at least 18 years of age (this is due to the requirement for driving on business and overnight stays).
+ Have the right to live and work in the UK.
+ Not be in full-time education.
+ Hold a Full UK Driving Licence at the point of application.
+ Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes.
+ Have valid and eligible residency status, and be resident in the UK for 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship. Full eligibility details can be found here at Annex A. If you are not sure if you meet the residency requirements then please contact us before applying.
If you currently hold or are working towards a similar qualification of the same level or higher, i.e. Level 3 Heavy or Light Goods mechanics qualification, then you will not be eligible to apply for this vacancy. In order to be eligible for our apprenticeship vacancy, any qualifications previously held or are currently being worked towards must differ in content so that this apprenticeship provides substantial new skills. Additionally to be eligible for this Apprenticeship you must not be significantly experienced in this type of work. If you apply and are found to possess the above, your application will not be considered; any offer of employment will be withdrawn, and your contract will be terminated.
Please note for this role there is a business requirement for the successful candidates to be available to work for a minimum of 30 hours per week., Hold a Level 2 in English and Maths or have the willingness to work towards this in post., + Delivering at Pace
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Managing a Quality Service

We have an exciting opportunity to start your career at DVSA as one of our apprentice HGV Mechanics/MOT Testers (known internally as a Vehicle Standards Assessor), where you will get more than just an education; you will gain skills that can set you up for life. We invest a lot in our apprentices because we want you to be the future of our business., The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably.Our work affects millions of people and thousands of businesses. Most importantly, our work saves lives.
We’re committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams where everyone is valued. You can grow, develop and progress, and make a real difference to society.

Alongside your base salary of £23,847, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency contributes £6,438 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ A fully insured and taxed modern lease car, which is for both work and personal use. Other running costs are also covered.
+ An environment with flexible working patterns, which encourage a great work-life balance.
+ Generous Annual Leave - 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 each year of service, up to 30. And additionally:-
+ 8 paid Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
+ Modern IT and Tech devices, e.g. laptop and smartphone.
+ All PPE, uniform, tools and equipment is provided.
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
+ Excellent learning and development tailored to your role, including paid apprenticeships up to Masters level.
+ Career path; opportunities to progress within DVSA and the wider Civil Service.
+ Wide range of discounts schemes on high street names.
+ Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing.
+ Cycle to work scheme and Gym membership offers.