THE number of apprentices forging a career in the motor industry with Yorkshire-based dealership JCT600 now tops 100.

The company, which has its base in Apperley Bridge, has proved to be a popular choice with young people.

Forty new recruits joined the apprentice scheme last year and at least another 25 will be taken on during this year.

Over the last four years, the motor retailer has attracted hundreds of young people to its assessment days and currently has a total of 107 apprentices in the business, working in a variety of roles including as trainee service advisers, apprentice technicians and parts apprentices.

JCT600 has now launched this year’s scheme, and will be running two and three-year apprenticeships resulting in NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications alongside IMI technical certificates.

The company will be offering apprenticeships at most of its 50 dealerships throughout Yorkshire, the North East, the Humber, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Katie Saunders, HR director for JCT600, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many enthusiastic and talented young people coming into our business and being attracted to a career in the motor industry.

“While having some academic qualifications and IT skills is an advantage, what we’re really looking for are people who are hard-working, motivated and have good interpersonal skills – they need to have the right attitude, determination, a willingness to listen and learn and be a great team player.

“We have developed a programme which gives our apprentices the skills they need to pursue a career with us, while ensuring that they are supported along the way.

MORE TOP STORIES “As well as giving each apprentice their own mentor in the workplace and a vocational learning adviser linked to their training college, we can also promise them supportive managers and colleagues throughout JCT600 as you would expect in a family business.”

With a team of 2,200 colleagues, JCT600 has been listed in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For list in recognition of its outstanding levels of employee engagement.

It was founded in 1946 by Jack Tordoff as Brooklands Garage. It remains a family-owned car dealership with four generations now working within the business with the vision to be not the biggest, but the best. The company sells 18 top marques such as Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, MINI, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.