Automotive Technical Trainer (VDA) | Circa £46,250 + excellent benefits | Permanent | Onsite

Are you an experienced Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) ready to take your career in a new direction? At Thatcham Research, we’re looking for a passionate and knowledgeable professional to join our Academy team as an Automotive Technical Trainer - helping shape the next generation of automotive experts and raising standards across the industry.

This is an exciting opportunity to step away from day-to-day assessments and into a role where you’ll develop, inspire and support learners across the VDA discipline. You’ll design and deliver engaging training programmes, assess competency, and ensure learners are equipped with the technical expertise and confidence to succeed in the automotive repair sector. You’ll work with a range of learners, from apprentices through to experienced professionals, and play a key role in improving capability across the industry.

You don’t need previous experience in teaching or training to be considered for this role as full training and support will be provided. However, you will need hands-on experience in the vehicle body repair sector.

Once settled in your new role as a Technical Trainer, you’ll:

Deliver impactful training

• Deliver classroom, virtual / online and practical VDA training sessions

• Bring technical concepts to life in a clear, engaging and accessible way

• Adapt your style to suit different learners - from beginners to experienced assessors

• Facilitate hands-on workshops and real-world assessment scenarios

Support learning and development

• Assess learners through practical and theory-based methods against agreed standards

• Provide constructive, supportive feedback to help learners grow

• Monitor progress and ensure high-quality learning outcomes

Drive quality and standards

• Continuously evaluate training effectiveness using feedback and results

• Maintain high standards aligned with industry and awarding body requirements (including OFSTED)

• Ensure all training materials and delivery approaches remain consistent and high-quality

Support learner wellbeing

• Provide a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment

• Take responsibility for learner welfare and safeguarding, particularly for young and vulnerable learners

Skills & experience that will set you up for success in this role:

We’re keen to hear from experienced VDA professionals who are passionate about sharing their knowledge.

Essential

• Previous experience in automotive vehicle repair, specialising in Vehicle Damage Assessment

• Hold (or able to work towards) Level 3/4 qualifications in your specialist area

• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for different audiences

• A commitment to safe working practices within an automotive environment

You’ll also bring

• A passion for developing others and supporting learning

• The ability to adapt your approach to suit different learners

• An interest in continuous improvement and innovation in training

• Training experience is helpful but not essential - we’ll support you in developing your teaching capability.

(This role requires an Enhanced DBS check to be carried out on appointment)

Did you know...

Research tells us that men are more likely to apply to jobs if they meet only 60% of the criteria, whereas women often hesitate or don't apply unless they meet all of the criteria. This difference in application behaviour can contribute to the gender gap in career advancement and opportunities.

We know the perfect candidate doesn't exist! If you think you have what it takes but don't tick every box, we'd still encourage you to apply - it could be a perfect fit!

Perks & Benefits

Salary - Circa £46,250 negotiable dependent on skills & experience.

• 10% non-contributory pension

• 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays

• Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)

• Group Income Protection (after 6 months’ service)

• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)

• Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure

• Moneyhealth’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform

• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)

• Benenden Health Care (opt-in benefit)

• Reward & Recognition Programme

• Discounted gym membership

• Sports & Social club

• Payroll charitable giving

• Subsidised on-site restaurant

• Free on-site parking

When we work

Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:45 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 16:00.

How we work

As a Technical Trainer you’ll be based on-site Monday to Friday at our Automotive Training Academy in Berkshire.

What we do

At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on-site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry.

Our Gamston facility is one of the UK’s leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies.

Our Values

As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. We are proud to champion a culture where colleagues freely share their diverse perspectives, recognising that these contribute to our innovative spirit. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change.

Beyond our partnerships with the Automotive 30% Club and Women in Data (WiD), we collaborate with various organisations to advance equity not only in gender but also across ethnicity, age, disability, social mobility, LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and thinking. Our aspiration is to create an environment where everyone thrives, achieves, and experiences a genuine sense of belonging.

Recruitment process

We’re proud to manage our recruitment in-house and believe this direct approach enables us to give you the best possible Employee Experience we can – which starts right here, your application! We’re continuously striving to improve the candidate journey, and transparency (or communication) is a key area of focus – yes, even with salary & benefits.

What can you expect from our recruitment process?

• Regular updates on the progress / outcome of your application

• An initial telephone screening call with a Talent Acquisition Partner

• First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams

• Second/Final interview, in-person at our office (we may give you a role specific task to present on!)

• Personalised feedback following your interview – because everyone deserves that!

• An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above

Check out our post on using AI during your application and interview!

We’re committed to removing barriers. If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply.

All applicants must have Right to Work in the UK.

If you're experiencing any issues with our career site or application from, please let us know here: careers@thatcham.org ⁠