NORTHERN IRISH dealer Charles Hurst – part of the Lookers group – has said ‘You’re hired’ to a pair of school students after an Apprentice-style competition.
The competition pitched groups of students against each other in a battle to make the most profit from selling a used car at auction. Each team was given £500 to enhance the value of the car, aided by a mentor from the Charles Hurst dealership.
Just like the TV show, these mentors also reported back to the judging panel, but in a departure of the normal show format, two students were hired instead of just one.
Charles Hurst operations director Colin McNab selected Sonia Irvine from Newtownabbey Community High School and Aaron Rea from the winning Monkstown Community School, who will both work with the car dealership during their summer holidays.
Speaking to Newtown Abbey Times, Colin McNab said: ‘We’re always up for a challenge at Charles Hurst and through this important community initiative; we had the great pleasure to work with a remarkable group of individuals who went to great lengths to show off their individual skills and tenacity while working as part of a team.
‘As Northern Ireland’s largest car retailer, we know that our most important asset is our staff and we’re really excited to see that the next generation of school-leavers are prepped and ready to go.
‘Everyone who took part deserves great credit for putting so much into the process. We’re delighted with the result and we look forward to welcoming our four new apprentices on board.’
Business in the Community Chief Executive John Heaslip added ‘A paid apprenticeship at Charles Hurst is a real reward for their efforts and will provide these individuals with yet another great opportunity to extend their skills and experience and add to their eagerness to succeed.’
