Oh yeah
and dont say you want to go on and start your own business like i did :lol:
i nearly didnt get the job and had to blag it by saying its a big thing to run a business so i think it would be better to stay :lol:
but when i handed in my i could say told you so :lol:

best thing to do is look on yell.com and send your cv (stating you are lookng for an apprntiship/on the job training)
to all the bodyshops in a feasable travelling distance and see what replies you get

Cheers for that mate!

Been having a look and there's just no apprentiships available in the Midlands...any jobs that are advertised they're looking for experienced people.

Doing a course seems the best option but like I say there's just so many courses so wouldn't know where to start and also obviously would still be in the same position at the end and have to look for a position which aren't the most popular jobs like administration.

An apprentiship would be ideal even if I had to take a drop in pay but like I said there's just nothing :(

i was lucky enough to get an apprentiship at a porsche approved body shop so went on a three year course on the Porsche apprentiship programme.
I worked at the same place for 7 years before starting up on my own.
All i can say is if you are good at it and quick then you will be fine.

Get a good accountant and book keeper.
Do as much work on cars as possible, go on as many courses as possible,
painting, prepping, strip and refit, panel beating.
I have found that you cant beat experience.

Get a job at a bodyshop, (a propper bodyshop that has to have every car perfect)
work your nuts off, overtime, if they ask you to work saturdays do it,
this will be a good test to see if you can handle running a business as it is 24/7,
i never stop thinking about what cars need doing and whats happening next week.

Also save up as much as possible as in your first year if you break even you have done well, so be prepared to make a loss.

With regard to the courses,
these would be most suited

ATA Paint
Body Repair Level 3 (day release)

Body Repair Level 1 (day release)

Body Repair Level 2 (day release)

Body Repair/Refinishing Level 1 (Dual Award)

Body Repair/Refinishing Level 2 (Dual Award)

Body Repair/Refinishing Level 3 (Dual Award)

Customising Painting

Motor Vehicle Refinishing Level 1 (Day Release)

Motor Vehicle Refinishing Level 2 (Day Release)

Motor Vehicle Refinishing Level 3 (Day Release)

Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Level 1 (day release)

Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Level 2

Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Level 2 (day release)

Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Level 3

this could be handy too
Foundation Skills in Vehicle Electrics

although you really cant learn in college what you learn on the shop floor

I currently work at a university (administration, decent pay), been here 4 years and tbh im getting bored and want to explore my options.

I like the idea of having your own body shop and repairing / spraying cars.

What qualifications are best to hold when wanting to pursue this path? Tomnova you have your own company, what qualifications do you have and how did you obtain them and how long did it take?

I'm not in a position to leave my job and study full time so would be wanting to study part time if possible...

Had a look on here and these are some of the courses that are on offer -

http://www.citycol.ac.uk/courses/courseList.asp?Publicity_Area=19

So what courses are best to do?

If each level is a year long and then there's lots of different areas such as repair, painting, servicing it could be a lengthy process....

Can anyone shed any advice? Ultimately going down this path many years down the line I would want to have my own place like Tom and rake in the ££ :D