Volvo to increase its technician count by 50% by 2020, meaning at least 5 per site.

Volvo Car UK will actively seek 300 new technicians to increase numbers by almost 50% UK dealerships will average five technicians per site by 2020 Recruits will get the chance to work on exciting, industry-leading technologies Volvo Car UK is launching a nationwide recruitment drive for 300 new technicians to join its 119-strong dealer network by 2020, in line with the brand's increasing sales and its growing product range. The award-winning S90 and V90 models most recently joined Volvo's impressive line-up, and with more new products set to arrive in the coming years, Volvo aims to increase its technical talent by almost 50%, adding to the 600 existing dealership technicians to support the brand and meet the demands of the network as its sales continue to grow year-on-year. Volvo is establishing itself as an industry leader in new technologies such as autonomous drive and connectivity, where their application is designed to make drivers' lives easier and safer.  With cars that include technology such as Pilot Assist, Volvo's innovative semi-autonomous drive feature, advanced technical knowledge is vital to keep customers' cars in the best possible condition. The increased stream into Volvo's dealership aftersales teams will see, on average, five technicians per site by 2020, with fast-track development opportunities available through innovative web-based training and one-to-one assessments. Volvo retailers offer this through a structured career path, leading to ongoing certifications and qualifications, which can start from Service Apprentice through to Volvo's highest technical accolade, Master Technician. The recruitment drive further reinforces the need for talented technicians to join the brand as it marks the next steps in Volvo's Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) and Volvo Personal Service (VPS) programmes, both announced in 2015. VRE, designed to create a space for customers in which high levels of visual transparency are key, creates an open and inclusive working environment where, as part of VPS, technicians can work alongside other technicians in multi-skilled teams, engaging with customers and managing their own relationships with Volvo owners. As Volvo continues to change its retail landscape to keep pace with the evolving market, there is now also a need for a product specialist to work in all of Volvo's soon-to-be network of state-of-the-art UK dealerships. These specialists will further enrich the customer buying and ownership experience through their knowledge and insights, making customers' lives less complicated through a human-centric approach. Jon Wakefield, Managing Director, Volvo Car UK, commented: "Any technician joining Volvo will get the chance to work on exciting industry-leading technology, including autonomous drive, in-car connectivity and hybrid powertrains. For those looking to join our 600-strong team of technicians, our continued investment into our staff will allow them to progress their knowledge of new car technology, engineering and design – and grow alongside the Volvo brand." The recruitment news comes after the announcement of Volvo Car UK's £6 million investment into a new state-of-the-art training centre in Daventry, to enhance further its successful apprenticeship and development schemes.