Apprenticeship Central is relaunching today (Monday, 11 November) with the aim of delivering bespoke recruitment and retention solutions for UK bodyshops.
Following a short hiatus after the passing of founder Bob Linwood in January, Apprenticeship Central will now return and be led by director Eleanor Baker Barnes.
Apprenticeship Central is relaunching
Baker Barnes said of Apprentice Central relaunching:
“I am delighted to be heading up the new-look Apprenticeship Central. Bob and Morag [Linwood] set the benchmark for recruitment and retention of apprentices. I have spoken to bodyshops across the UK and have seen the value [the Linwoods’] work added to bodyshop businesses. I am extremely excited about building on that legacy”.
Apprenticeship Central operations will continue to be manned by the team of Mandy Gibson and Jake Watson, whose experience in looking after a full range of different bodyshops continues to impress. Morag Linwood will also continue in her HR role, helping young people and their managers, and bodyshop owners navigate through the modern HR maze.
In a nod to the past, Baker Barnes has enticed Chris Oliver, managing director of Fix Auto Dagenham and Hainault, back to assist and support Apprenticeship Central. Having started the apprentice bandwagon rolling with Bob Linwood, in creating AutoRaise, Baker Barnes knew Oliver was a natural choice to support and advise her through this exciting new era.
Oliver said: “Having begun this journey over a decade ago I am over the moon to be invited back by Eleanor and her team. Not to say a little surprised too. Thankfully, we all now know the value of apprentices. Many of us are aware that the work Bob did was immeasurable. It is privilege to continue that work. The responsibility for continuing that legacy does not escape me either.”
