Restore enterprise Steer Automotive Group is planning to considerably develop its apprenticeship programme subsequent yr, with an goal for apprentices to make up 16% of its technical workforce by the tip of 2024.

Following a report by the Institute of the Motor Business which predicted there will likely be 160,000 vacancies within the sector by 2031, Steer stated it was working to handle this concern by nurturing and, most significantly, retaining younger expertise.

Steer at the moment has 159 apprentices employed throughout 90% of its 98 websites. Steer recruits apprentices immediately, by the Nationwide Apprenticeship service, partnerships with charitable organisations resembling Auto Elevate and College of Thought, and referrals.

Working in partnership with a choose group of coaching suppliers to make sure consistency and high-quality coaching, apprentices do most of their coaching on the job supported by a mentor, mixed with quick intervals in native coaching centres.

Group constructing classes assist the group join and Steer’s suppliers present additional coaching to maintain apprentices abreast of recent supplies, strategies, and applied sciences.

Steer’s dedication to investing in younger expertise comes because it celebrated its apprentices on the Steer Apprentice Academy Awards, which recognised the achievements of its 159 apprentices. The Awards had been aimed toward rewarding distinctive work throughout the automotive technician disciplines, together with paint, panel, and Car Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET) for every of our areas. In addition to saying winners throughout 13 classes, requirements had been so excessive that six “Extremely Recommended” prizes had been additionally given.

The winners

• Steer Regional Apprentice of the Yr – South – Mohammed Qais Mehdi
• Steer Regional Apprentice of the Yr – North – Rhys Kane
• Steer Regional Apprentice of the Yr – Midlands – Miguel Harvey
• Steer Regional Apprentice of the Yr – Apollo & Balgores – Rosie Smith
• Paint Apprentice of the Yr – Rosie Smith
• Panel Apprentice of the Yr – Brandon Redshaw
• MET Apprentice of the Yr – Daniel Thacker
• Individuals’s Selection Award – David Lindert
• Steer Rising Star – Nathan Hoe
• Steer Apprentice Mentor of the Yr – Duncan Adams
• Apprentice Coach of the Yr – Chris Griffith

Gavin Ruddick, chief working officer at Steer Automotive Group stated, “The apprenticeship programme at Steer Automotive Group has at all times been on the coronary heart of the enterprise. Finally, our apprentices are the way forward for our business, bringing contemporary views, progressive concepts, and a robust work ethic to our group. Our funding of their development and growth displays our dedication to creating the workforce of tomorrow.”

Miguel Harvey, apprentice paint technician at Steer Automotive Group stated, “Since becoming a member of Steer’s apprenticeship programme, I’ve learnt loads and instantly felt like a valued member of the group. Studying from managers and colleagues who additionally began as apprentices is wonderful; they perceive the challenges and provides me confidence that that is the correct profession path for me.”