Isuzu Truck celebrates first year of advanced apprenticeship programme05 August 2015

Isuzu Truck’s Advanced Apprenticeship Programme – launched a year ago with Skillnet to support the dealer network in training young apprentices to become master technicians of the future – is going well.

That's the story from participating dealerships Imperial Commercials Glasgow, Westons Cars and Commercials, in Hitchin, and Greenmeadow Commercials, in Swindon.

"Brand specific training is much more beneficial in the long-term," comments Richard Light, service manager at Westons.

"Every manufacturer has a different injection system and colleges can't offer specific training. [The Advanced Apprenticeship Programme] means that our apprentice buys into the marque and this really helps to develop brand loyalty."

Light believes that at the end of the three-year programme, his dealership will have a highly trained technician for Isuzu.

"Investing in training and development is so beneficial for us and this is reflected in our staff retention," he adds. "We've already lined up our next apprentice for the Isuzu Advanced Apprenticeship scheme in the autumn."

"It's so important to have this training," asgrees Gus McMillan, service manager at award-winning Imperial Commercials.

"We need the skills of the future and for our technicians to be kept up to speed. It's a long term investment and we'll reap the benefit in years to come," he adds.

And the ITUK apprentices are equally unequivocal. "I know what it's like not to have a job and I appreciate the opportunity that Imperial Commercials has given me," comments James Campbell, Imperial's 19 year-old apprentice.

"It's a lot of work, but I'm learning new things every day."

Greenmeadow apprentice Josh Raymond (20) agrees: "It's so much more than I expected and the one-to-one training that I get at Isuzu helps me go back to work and apply what I've learnt."

"The scheme means that Josh is learning all the time and he's really keen to become a fully qualified Isuzu Truck technician," comments Raymond's manager, Stewart Thompson.

"At least eight of our dealers have said they are interested in taking on apprentices and want them to join in with this initiative," states Tim Hicks, head of service, warranty & training manager at ITUK.

"There are so many added benefits to this programme, not least that all apprentices will complete our award-winning ITUK Care course, and gain a first-aid and irtec qualification," he continues.

"Apprenticeships are 'jobs with training' and dealers who join our programme will be showing great commitment to the future of their workforce, staff development and the industry as a whole."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Isuzu Truck (UK) Ltd

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