Business
Motor dealer’s support for apprenticeships
7th October 2011
Fawcetts responds to report on importance of car trade
NEWBURY Volvo dealership Fawcett’s Garage is appealing to schools in the area to take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of its aftersales staff in a bid to encourage more youngsters to consider a career in automotive retail, following a parliamentary report that identified the motor industry as a key sector in the growth of the UK’s economy.The dealership in The Triangle, Pinchington Way, is inviting local secondary schools to contact it for information about both the career structure and apprenticeship entry into the industry after the publication of a report from the cross-party group of MPs and peers which called upon the Government to support UK automotive industry.
Among other things, the report, Driving growth: Future challenges and opportunities for UK automotive, would like to see the creation of more apprenticeship opportunities in the industry. In addition, Prime Minister David Cameron pledged £25m to support Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships which are due to start in October.
Fawcett’s Garage’s managing director, Mark Jones, said: “The motor retail network has amazing opportunities for young people, particularly in aftersales with a fantastic career path, fully supported by the manufacturer and extensive and on-going training.
“Once an apprentice has qualified, there are many different avenues to follow which can lead to senior management. Dealerships should really shout more about the careers available, they really are immense.
“We would like more youngsters to have a really good understanding of the wide range of opportunities available in the dealer network and demonstrate how high the ladder can be climbed. With the increase in university tuition fees, we think more young people will be looking at the alternatives and our industry is an extremely good choice for bright and hard-working teenagers. We are keen to get our message across and are only too happy to make ourselves available, wherever possible, to schools who think their pupils would benefit from an insight into our world of work.”
Most franchised dealers recruit one or two trainees on an annual or biennial basis with workshop appointments as trainee technicians and parts advisors being the most popular. Typically, trainees complete a three-year apprenticeship gaining a series of nationally recognised qualifications whilst career progression includes jobs such as workshop manager, service advisor, service manager, aftersales manager, general manager and divisional manager.
Mr Jones said that he hoped that teachers would “get in touch, pick our brains or come in and see us”.
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