New apprenticeship drive gets underway

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched a major apprenticeship initiative.

It has kickstarted a search for its next generation of technicians, parts advisors and service advisors to mark National Apprenticeship Week, after announcing that its current crop recorded the highest pass rate ever.

Boasting a 95% pass rate in 2018, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is encouraging the best young talent to sign up for its 2019/20 Advanced Apprenticeship Programme, which offers on-the-job practical training, formal qualifications and work experience at one of its dedicated Van Centres or Authorised Repairers.

With its industry-leading Volkswagen Group National Learning Centre in Milton Keynes providing a base for the 12-week classroom-based learning completed over three years, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has one of the most comprehensive apprentice programmes in the industry.

Interviews begin this month for candidates who have achieved, or are on target to achieve GCSE grade A-C (new grades 9-4) in English, Maths and Science, to join the programme. On completing the course, apprentices will gain VCQ/VRQ Level 3, an IMI Technical Certificate, an Advanced Apprenticeship Completion Certificate and Key and Core Skills Certificates relevant to their specialist area.

Erica Belsom, people development manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said, ‘Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for young people to access a varied and rewarding job. Our scheme has been a huge success since its inception, producing some fantastic engineers to work at our Van Centres, looking after our customers and their vehicles. We want young people to start thinking now about their plans for the coming year and what a great opportunity it could be for them to get involved with the apprenticeship scheme and what it has to offer.’