Volkswagen has opened up it's 2016 Apprenticeship scheme, so if you're interested, apply now.

• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launches 2016 apprenticeship applications 
• Comprehensive programme offers mix of class-based and on-the-job training
• Open to 16 to 24 year olds; choice of disciplines to appeal to a variety of applicants
• Apply online via www.volkswagencv-apprenticeships.co.uk website

As the summer school term and exam season approaches, many young people’s thoughts will start to turn to what career route they will take in September.  

For those looking for a career in retail or engineering, a great starting point could be an apprenticeship, and – to that end – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has now launched its annual search for the next crop of talented young individuals to join the Volkswagen Advanced Apprenticeship Programme.

Designed to train the next generation of Parts and Service Advisors and Technicians, the scheme offers the chance of a two or three-year apprenticeship (two for Parts and Service Advisors and three for Technicians) at one of Volkswagen’s dedicated Van Centres or Authorised Repairers. Open to candidates aged between 16 and 24 years old, the comprehensive apprenticeship programme provides the selected trainees with an exciting and challenging opportunity.

On-the-job training equips the apprentices with the knowledge and experience to achieve a series of formal qualifications while in full-time employment. On completing the course, apprentices will gain VCQ/VRQ Level 3, an IMI Technical Certificate, an Advanced Apprentice-ship Completion Certificate and Key and Core Skills Certificates relevant to their specialist area.

Class-based training takes place at the Volkswagen Group’s state-of-the-art dedicated National Training Centre in Milton Keynes. Training is delivered in one-week blocks throughout the programme and equips the trainees with the knowledge and skills to keep pace with the latest technological advances as well as providing the very best levels of customer service.

Employing 883 apprentices across the Volkswagen Group and its associated brands, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles currently employs 90 of these within its 96 Van Centres and Authorised Repairers across the UK. The next crop of apprentices will be recruited during the next few months, with applicants able to apply online via the Volkswagen apprentice website. 

Erica Belsom, People Development Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, commented: “Our apprentice programme continues to be hugely popular with all of our Van Centres taking part in the scheme. Applications are now open and the website is live for applicants to complete the simple online form.

“The scheme offers a great opportunity for those wanting to learn a trade whilst getting paid, learning not only technical skills but also the importance of customer focus, team work and problem solving. Throughout their time on the programme, our apprentices work alongside experienced personnel, learning valuable knowledge and skills to help them in developing their future careers.”

PEUGEOT aims to have an apprentice in every Dealership by the end of 2016.

• PEUGEOT aims to have an apprentice in every Dealership by the end of 2016
• The PSA Academy currently supports over 300 apprentices
• Training positions are in Service, Sales, Parts, Customer Service and Business Administration

PEUGEOT UK and the PSA Academy, located in Coventry, are encouraging young people into the automotive industry with an aim for all UK Dealerships to have an apprentice by the end of 2016. 

The PSA Academy Apprenticeship programme was set up as a scheme to get younger people in education interested in joining the automotive industry and gaining practical experience in their chosen fields of work. 

By the end of 2015, the Academy had over 300 apprentices on the programme for Peugeot, Citroёn and DS brand Dealerships. For 2016, the aim of the Academy is to have at least one apprentice based in all PEUGEOT Dealerships in the UK, to support those pursuing a career in the motor trade.

The Apprenticeship programme includes positions in Service, Sales, Parts, Customer Service and Business Administration and is eligible for applicants aged between 16-18 who have achieved a GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English.

To recruit an apprentice, PEUGEOT Dealerships have to establish the requirement for an apprentice with the Academy in one of the five available areas in the business. The Academy will arrange for the position to be advertised online as part of the National Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Service for applicants to apply. Most vacancies will be posted for 7-21 days before candidates are selected by the Dealership for interview.   

PEUGEOT apprenticeships run for a varying amount of time, dependant on the position. Sales, Customer Service and Business Administration are for 27 months, Parts for 28 months while Service requires 36 months on-the-job learning. At the end of each apprenticeship term, apprentices will achieve a Level 2 NVQ and Technical certificate. From there, they will go on to achieve their Level 3 accreditation.

Martin Hamill, Academy Director, says: “While other manufacturers offer similar schemes, PEUGEOT realises the importance of sourcing young talent who are keen to learn new skills and start a career within our Dealerships. This is why we want to ensure all Dealers have an apprentice working in the team as part of the Academy Apprenticeship programme.

“Apprentices will be employed by a franchised Dealer local to them and trained at one of PEUGEOT’s dedicated training facilities, while working towards their NVQ in a chosen specialism.  We hope that programmes like the Academy Apprenticeship will encourage more young people into apprenticeships, realising the benefits that come with learning skills on the job and offering a feasible alternative to Further/Higher Education.”