Skip to the main content
Go to the search page

Key details

Course area
Motor Vehicle
Student type
16 - 18 courses
Course type
Full-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 2
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
Highfields Jesse Boot Avenue, Nottingham, NG7 2RU
Course code
Parent course code:C029053 Child course code: Q029054
Apply now

Course introduction

This course is perfect if you’re aged 16-18 and looking to use your sound academic ability to fast track your skills and knowledge of car maintenance and repair further. Our Level 2 Fast Track is a great way to help you work towards securing an apprenticeship within the Automotive trade or working towards a level 3 qualification.

If you are expected to achieve 5 GCSE grades at 9-5 including English Language and Maths, then you are now eligible to apply for our Fast Track Level 2 course. This would mean you can achieve a Level 2 and then potentially achieve Level 3 in two years, which is one less than the usual path of one year for each Level (1, 2 and 3). This would allow you to be qualified and working in a technician role a whole year sooner than those who traditionally start at Level 1 and build up from there.

Many main dealerships, especially those of premium brands are now looking for technicians with good academic results as well as excellent hands-on skills. You’ll learn how to service and repair cars and vans and how to diagnose and solve non-complex faults on vehicles. This is a fast-paced course with a high level of commitment required around theoretical course work as well as the equivalent of half a day in our workshops. You can expect to put everything you learn into practice on a range of different vehicles. You’ll also get to work alongside experienced technicians, so you can learn from people who already have vast experience in the trade.

A student working on the engine of the car in an automotive workshop.

You will be encouraged to participate in a 30-hour work placement while you are studying.

Read more

Course information

1 year

IMI Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles

You’ll need both GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade 4 or above.

You must also be aged 16-18.

You’ll take part in continuous practical assessments and tests.

Choose to follow with further studies with Nottingham College on a Level 3 Light Vehicle advanced apprenticeship or full-time Level 3 course.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Careers related to this course

Vehicle Technicians, Mechanics and Electricians

Potential Earnings

£48,270.57

Average Earnings

£32,184.99

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Transportation Maintenance

People in these occupations maintain and service transport vehicles and specialised vehicle systems.

Skills

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

Automotive Care (IMI Level 2 Diploma) - Full-time

Automotive Technology (Level 1) - Full-time

Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (IMI Level 3 Diploma) - Full-time