Volvo offers opportunity for 60 apprentices

08/03/2018

Volvo offers opportunity for 60 apprentices

During National Apprenticeship Week 2018, and as part of an ongoing recruitment drive, Volvo Car UK is encouraging school and college leavers looking for career opportunities to join the Volvo Cars Apprenticeship Programme and work with the ambitious premium brand on the next stages of its journey. There are currently 60 spaces available in 2018.

The Volvo Cars Apprenticeship Programme will play an integral part in the recruitment drive, and for those who have yet to choose a career path since leaving school or college in the summer, Volvo's retailer network is still offering opportunities in 2018.

As a Volvo apprentice, you will be employed full-time at an authorised Volvo retailer for the duration of your chosen apprenticeship programme, working as an integral part of the team, with the opportunity to learn new skills in mechanical and software technology while gaining valuable on-the-job retailer experience. There are also a range of apprenticeship opportunities across customer services.

Laurie Nurton, 25, was one of Volvo's youngest fully qualified technicians at just 22 years old, having joined the apprenticeship programme when he finished school. Laurie is now a direct retailer support engineer, working at Volvo Car UK in Daventry.

'I never thought I would have a career in this industry, but there were a number of factors that helped me progress so quickly with Volvo,' said Laurie. 'We always had the right tools for the job and the work itself was varied, which meant I learnt a great deal in a short amount of time.'

Alongside retailer training, apprentices will also attend sessions at Volvo's new £6m state-of-the-art training and development facility in Daventry to work towards a nationally recognised professional qualification, graduating as a Level 2-qualified Volvo technician on completion. Daventry provides a 16-bay vehicle workshop, including an advanced auditorium, to make learning more interactive.

Daventry also underpins Volvo's latest retailer initiatives, Volvo Personal Service (VPS) and Volvo Retail Experience (VRE)*, as the brand continues to change the retail landscape by reinventing the way it conducts service, repair and care for its customers' cars. The role played by its technicians in this innovative new approach is more important than ever.

Helen Davis, career development and engagement manager at Volvo Car UK, said, 'With such an extensive apprenticeship programme in place, designed specifically to support and in conjunction with our network of retailers, more than 90% of those who complete their course move on to full-time employment with a Volvo retailer.

'Our retailers really value our apprenticeship programme because they know that when our apprentices graduate, they have the skills they need to be a real asset to their business, offering plenty of opportunities for personal and career development. By progressing on to higher-level programmes, our technicians can become certified in specialist areas, including electronic diagnostics and hybrid technology.

'Today, Volvo is stronger and more ambitious than ever, so there's never been a more exciting time to join the brand,' added Helen.

To find out more about Volvo's apprenticeship opportunities, please click here.