Intro to Motor Vehicle Industry & Technologies: IMI
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Course overview
Learn the art and science of vehicle paint repair.
The IMI Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair (Paint Principles) at Glasgow Kelvin College is delivered at our Springburn Campus and is ideal for learners looking to start a career as a Vehicle Paint Refinishing Technician (Paint Sprayer) or in other refinishing roles within the automotive industry.
You’ll learn how to prepare, paint, and finish different vehicle surfaces using the same methods and materials used in modern bodyshops. Combining theory and practical workshop sessions, the course provides hands-on experience that builds your confidence and skill in automotive refinishing and repair.
This course is perfect if you:
- Have an interest in vehicle bodywork, paint, and refinishing.
- Enjoy creative, detailed, and hands-on work.
- Want to start a career as a paint technician or refinisher.
- Are keen to gain practical experience in a workshop environment.
What you will learn
You’ll develop the technical knowledge and practical skills required to refinish vehicles to industry standards.
Key learning areas include:
- Preparing Vehicle Surfaces – cleaning, sanding, masking, and priming.
- Applying Fillers and Paint Coatings – learning to mix, apply, and finish paints accurately.
- Repairing Paintwork – identifying and repairing scratches, scuffs, and surface damage.
- Colour Matching and Finishing Techniques – achieving a high-quality final finish.
- Essential Theory and Assessment – including assignments, verbal questioning, and IMI online multiple-choice tests.
All practical training is delivered in our dedicated automotive paint and refinishing workshop, using professional spray booths and refinishing tools
Entry requirements
To apply for the IMI Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair (Paint Principles), you should have:
✅ National 4 (or above) in English and Mathematics, and
✅ A keen interest in the automotive body repair trade, along with the motivation to learn and succeed.
ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language
- you need to have SQA ESOL National 5 (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
- If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.
Career Opportunities
This qualification opens up routes into a range of vehicle paint and refinishing roles, such as:
🎨 Vehicle Paint Refinishing Technician (Paint Sprayer)
🚗 Paint Preparation Technician
🧰 Bodyshop Assistant
🔩 Trainee or Apprentice Paint Technician
⚙️ Panel and Paint Repair Assistant
With experience, you can progress to senior roles such as Senior Paint Technician, Bodyshop Supervisor, or move into custom paintwork and restoration.
Future prospects
Successful completion of this course can lead to:
- Level 6 Automotive Refinishing programmes
- Modern Apprenticeships in paint refinishing or body repair
- Employment in dealerships, independent bodyshops, or specialist restoration centres
This IMI Diploma provides a professional foundation for anyone pursuing a career in automotive refinishing and paint repair.
