JARDINE Motors Group has opened up new apprenticeship opportunities at local motor retailers in Milton Keynes, as part of the group’s strategy to attract and grow a broader employment base.
Following its sponsorship of the National Apprentice Show, Jardine Motors hosted the event at its Volkswagen dealership in Milton Keynes as part of a series of upcoming recruitment evenings to inform local under 21 year olds of the career opportunities available to them.
The dealership evenings, which are designed to appeal to technicians as well customer facing staff, include a presentation about Jardine Motors Group and its culture, tours hosted by team members, as well as the chance to glean an insight from current employees about working life in a motor retailer.
These evenings add to the group’s recent collaborations with local colleges, including Milton Keynes College and Epping Forest College in Loughton, which has resulted in 10 apprentices and newly qualified technicians getting work experience at dealerships in Milton Keynes and Loughton.
During their time in the dealerships, students will not only gather valuable experience in the industry, but also gain access to careers advice and learn interview techniques from HR and business experts within Jardine Motors Group.
Clare Martin, group HR director at Jardine Motors Group, said: ‘This initiative is just one of a number of ways we are helping young people get into the automotive industry. We are particularly focused on finding skilled and future technicians.
‘By working with colleges in Milton Keynes and giving work experience that goes beyond just being hands-on with vehicles, but also helps develop essential business skills such as team work, customer service and how to deliver an impressive interview, we are providing young, talented people in the area with the skills and experience they need to find their way into a technical career.’
Jardine Motors Group has also planned similar projects at its sites in St Albans and Essex. If successful, the group plans to roll the initiative out UK-wide and also attract talent from other sectors.
Martin added: ‘We see this as a long-term project for us to help nurture the talented students in Milton Keynes. It has worked so well here there is a real chance for an initiative such as this to be successful in other areas of the UK as well.
‘There are more than 70 Jardine Motors Group retailers across the UK and we will always welcome applications to gather experience from students in any role, from technician to finance – and from the expertise that the next generation continues to show, there is always the chance of full-time employment after qualification.’
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