Sapphire training manager Tony Hewins said: “This course is targeted at people with a strong foundation of relevant experience. Most will already be working as car or van mechanics, although we’ll also consider people who might be working in related fields.
“We’re looking for a group of up to 12 candidates. We’ll take them on as full-time employees and provide them with a 12-month programme consisting of six blocks of classroom training, each a week long, interspersed with time back in the workshop where they can put their new skills to use in a real-life setting.
“At the end of the year we expect all to pass their IRTEC accreditations and become fully fledged heavy vehicle technicians, with a recognised professional qualification which typically comes with a higher rate of pay than car mechanics can earn.
“They’ll also be working for a successful, expanding business that values ongoing career development, so there’s a great deal of potential for further improvement. All they need is the determination to learn and succeed.”
Partner Blyth Automotive will deliver classroom training at Sapphire’s Northampton depot, but candidates can apply anywhere in the UK because Sapphire operates workshops across the country.
Each week-long block will focus on a different topic, starting with an Inspection & Maintenance module and continuing through Chassis, Electronics, Diagnostics and Transmission before a final Review of the entire course content.
The upskilling scheme runs alongside Sapphire’s apprenticeship programme.