Apprenticeship training course

Specialist tyre operative (level 2)

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Information about Specialist tyre operative (level 2)

Working on heavy or commercial vehicles, carrying out both scheduled tyre maintenance and emergency response work across a wide variety of locations.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • The Health & Safety at Work Act and the importance of personal and vehicle protective equipment.
  • The importance of maintaining a safe service vehicle.
  • The wide range of tools required, including basic hand tools, equipment for tyre repairs and replacement, wheel balancing, pressure calibration & diagnosis and wheel geometry.
  • Safe working on the motorway and trunk road network, including the procedures for arriving and departing to/from a stricken vehicle and the correct process for requesting assistance from the Highways Agencies or emergency services where required.
  • The construction of heavy vehicle tyres and materials used in manufacture and repair.
  • The individual requirements of HGV and other commercial vehicle tyres, including wheels and balancing, which are made of multiple components rather than a single hub, the correct handling of tyres regularly weighing over 80kg and whether tyres can be repaired or need replacing.
  • The importance of correctly identifying the root cause of premature wear or failure.
  • The principles and importance of correct vehicle geometry including steering, suspension and braking systems.
  • The safe operating processes for using lifting and support equipment including specialist heavy jacks, props and vehicle stands.
  • The varied methods of communication with customers.
  • The range of regulations which will apply to operations including, BS159 tyre repair standards, legislation governing data protection, consumer rights, hazardous chemicals, environmental disposal of end of life tyres and treating customers fairly.

  Skills

  • Ensure their service vehicle is maintained in a roadworthy manner.
  • Maintain, check and safely use the required equipment, including basic hand tools, equipment for tyre repairs and replacement, wheel balancing, pressure calibration and diagnosis and wheel geometry.
  • Use tyre re-grooving equipment to safely cut new tread on worn commercial tyres, prolonging their life while ensuring they provide safe road-holding performance.
  • Carry out a dynamic risk assessment before and during any repair activity, only carrying out work when safe to do so.
  • Assess customer and passenger hazards, such as the danger to the vehicle’s driver or passing traffic, and follow the correct procedures to safely secure the work area, such as the use of hazard lights, beacons and traffic cones.
  • Inspect, remove, repair and replace commercial vehicle tyres, making assessments as to whether tyres can be repaired or replaced.
  • Correctly balance commercial vehicle wheels in all locations.
  • Interpret specific data from tyre pressure monitoring systems, EU tyre labelling, tyre sidewall markings and load indices to ensure that appropriate tyres are being used for the relevant vehicles.
  • Interpret vehicle specific data and inspect, adjust and report on vehicle front wheel geometry.
  • Identify safe working loads and take appropriate action if vehicle weights exceed these.
  • Lift and support a range of vehicle types on a range of surfaces in different environments – e.g. roadside, construction sites or agricultural sites – and take action if a vehicle cannot be safely supported in a specific location.
  • Communicate in appropriate language which is transparent and jargon free.
  • Produce comprehensive inspection reports which are timely, accurate and relevant and provide clear recommendations.
  • Accurately cost required work, including parts, labour and VAT.

  Behaviours

  • Ensures all operations are carried out with safety the overriding concern.
  • Considers the financial impact of their recommendations on their customers’ business.
  • Acts in a manner that promotes the professional image of the automotive sector.
  • Communicates clearly, transparently and honestly with colleagues, customers and other stakeholders.
  • Behaves in accordance with company values, industry codes of conduct and demonstrates respect for customers and colleagues.
  • Is courteous at all times and responds timeously to requests/requirements to build trust and confidence.
  • Work as an effective team member by taking responsibility for their own actions, being honest and accountable when issues arise and things don’t go as planned.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Engineering and manufacturing
• Qualification level: 2; Equal to GCSE
• Course duration: 18 months
• Maximum funding: £12,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

View more information about Specialist tyre operative (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.