Motor Group Looks to the Future After Growing Apprenticeship Programme

National motor retailer Lookers has furthered its commitment to future talent by welcoming another 150 Apprentices to its award-winning apprenticeship programme, as well as launching a brand-new Traineeship Program.

The number of Apprentices recruited throughout 2018 matches last year’s intake, bringing the group’s total to 500, with an additional 8 female technical apprentices being added as part of the group’s continued drive to create a diverse workforce.

Eleven of these female apprentices – which now total 17 across the group, recently met up at a special event at Team Sport Go Karting in Manchester as part of the Lookers Female Apprentice Network.

The event saw the young apprentices meet up, share opinions and experiences, as well as attend a workshop with Julia Muir from the Automotive 30% Club, who helped to inspire them with stories of young women who are now helping to shape the future of the Industry.

As well as growing the number of Apprentices across the business, Lookers are expanding the accessibility of the Program, encouraging participation from a diverse range of backgrounds.

The Group recently launched a 12-week traineeship programme at the Lookers Audi Group Paint & Body and Preparation Centre in North Tyneside, which aims to give young people out of work and education the opportunity to gain full time employment. The course will include both practical work experience and class-based tuition, with the aim of upskilling the students, enhancing their ability to progress on to the Apprenticeship Programme and possibly a full-time position at Lookers.

David Morallee, General Manager at the Lookers Audi Preparation Centre is heading up the new traineeship. He said: “I am very proud to be able to be able to launch this traineeship which is going to provide young people with a real alternative to the traditional routes to employment. I know a Program like this would have really benefitted me as I was deciding what direction to take after education.”

The Lookers Apprenticeship programme was recently named as Regional Macro Apprentice Employer of the Year for the second year running and was also ‘Highly Commended’ at the National Apprenticeship Awards.

Matthew Clay, Group Qualifications Manager at Lookers, said: “We are really proud of our Apprenticeship Programme, which has attracted a strong intake again this year. As one of the biggest employers in the motor industry it’s imperative that we continue to inspire young people and help them to consider the sector as a viable career option. We have also seen our female apprentice numbers increase by over 100% over the last two years, which has allowed us to disprove a number of myths around the attractiveness of the motor industry, particularly in technical roles.”