A RECORD number of apprentices has been recruited this year by Bradford-based motor dealer JCT600.

The family-owned business has hired another 35 youngsters during 2016 and now has 185 apprentices working across the business in a variety of roles. It plans to taker on another 30 trainees in 2017.

The firm is in the final stages of appointing the last five apprentices in this year’s intake.

JCT600 has this year offered apprenticeships at most of its 50 dealerships throughout Yorkshire and Humber , the North East, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire for positions including trainee service advisers, apprentice technicians and parts apprentices.

The apprenticeships run for two and three years and the trainees gain NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications alongside IMI Technical Certificates.

Among the latest recruits is 16 year old Jessica Suffield from Cleckheaton who has joined JCT600’s Porsche Centre in Leeds as a first year apprentice technician.

Katie Saunders, JCT600 HR director, said: “Over the last few years, our apprenticeship initiative has really gained momentum. Every year, we look for young people who may not have any experience in the motor industry, but who do have real potential.

“In return for their hard work and enthusiasm, we invest in providing a complete and structured training and development programme with regular reviews and on site coaching and mentoring as well as site and classroom learning.

“We are proud to have 185 apprentices working within the business and it is testimony to the quality of our scheme that nearly all of the young people we recruit continue to develop their careers with us.” following the completion of their apprenticeship. In the spring, we will be launching our 2017 scheme and expect to be looking for another 30 apprentices to join our team.”

JCT600 is a family business which employs 2,300 people and is this year celebrating its 70th anniversary. With 50 dealerships throughout Yorkshire, the North East, the Humber, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, it sells 18 of the world’s most respected brands such as Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, MINI, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The two latest recruits to Yorkshire Water’s apprentice scheme are company firsts because they will be supported through a degree course.

In January 2015 Yorkshire Water announced it would be significantly increasing the numbers of apprenticeships offered over five years in the biggest scheme of its kind ever launched by the company.

So far the majority of apprentices have been recruited in operational roles as Yorkshire Water looks to recruit the next generation of skilled colleagues at the heart of providing a crucial service to millions of people around the region. The apprentices are studying a wide range of courses at colleges throughout the region including Level 3 Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, HNC Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Level 3 Computer Systems, Level 5 Human Resource Management and Level 6 Surveying.

Thomas May from Huddersfield and Victoria Ellwood from Wyke in Bradford have just joined the Land, Property and Planning and the Land and Valuation Services teams as trainee surveyors and Yorkshire Water will support them through a degree course at the University College of Estate Management. Thomas and Victoria will be based at the company’s headquarters in Bradford when they are not working in the field with experienced colleagues.

The apprentices will learn how Yorkshire Water manages its assets whilst helping to support and facilitate the acquisition of land/property or rights, the effective management of these interests and disposal of those interests no longer needed by the business.

Shauna Purdey, Director of Human Resources at Yorkshire Water, said; “We’re delighted to have Thomas and Victoria join us on this exciting new adventure which illustrates how we are supporting apprentices at all levels. Our graduate scheme, apprenticeships and trainee positions offer young people the chance to study for a qualification whilst gaining practical experience.”

“Yorkshire Water has recently become the first water company to receive the prestigious National Equality Standard (NES) certification, which recognises good practise in the area of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). We have a passion and commitment to EDI and our efforts towards creating a more diverse workforce and an inclusive culture have been significantly accelerated over recent years. A number of initiatives, including the number and levels of apprentices, have been put in place to ensure that we attract talent from the widest pool possible and we are very proud to launch our first degree apprenticeships.”

Victoria said; “I’m delighted to start my apprenticeship with Yorkshire Water as it means I can earn a salary whilst getting a qualification in my chosen field. There are many different options for young people leaving school or college these days and this was the best one for me.”

In contrast Thomas applied for the apprenticeship after deciding on a change of career which demonstrates that apprenticeships are equally appealing to mature students who already have experience of work.

Shauna added, “Competition for places is very high and the calibre of successful applicants means they often go on to attain senior roles within the company. Opportunities come up throughout the year so we’d advise anyone interested to register their interest in working for us on the careers page of our website.”

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