Member Article

BMW Apprentice makes an Impact on Business

A Hailsham teenager has cause for double celebrations after being recruited by a leading motor dealership and discovering that she has the honour of being a national training provider’s 1000th apprentice.

Miranda Read (18) an ex pupil of Ringmer Community College in Lewes is driving her career forward thanks to Group 1 Automotive company, Chandlers Hailsham BMW, and Tyneside based training provider Business Impact UK.

Customer Service Apprentice, Miranda has joined the BMW dealership’s Customer Support Team where she books in appointments, ensures customers are completely satisfied with any work carried out by the servicing team and handles enquiries from the general public.

Miranda’s apprenticeship programme is designed to give her valuable paid work experience through a structured programme that will enable her to do her job well. Full training and support is given by Business Impact UK as MD, Martin Wray explains:

“When we are asked to provide an apprentice, we look after every stage in the recruitment process from writing job descriptions, advertising, screening suitable applicants and interviewing. We always go the extra mile to make sure we get the best candidate every time and as Miranda is our 1000th apprentice in the 16-18 year old age group, we must be doing something right. The added bonus is that funding is available to the employer too.”

Miranda’s manager Chris Downes was impressed with both Miranda and the training she receives from Business Impact UK.

“We are a premium automotive brand and to maintain our high standards we expect our team to be the very best. Professional excellence matters to us here at Chandlers BMW and Business Impact UK really exceed our expectations with their recruitment and training programmes. “

Chandlers BMW started their apprenticeship partnership with Business Impact UK in November 2011 and since then, 14 past learners have been trained in Marketing, Business Administration, Customer Service, Sales and Team Leader Training. Including Miranda, there are currently 13 learners at the showroom and another three are due to be enrolled soon. The company has also worked with Business Impact UK to produce testimonial videos which chronicle the success of the apprenticeship scheme.

Miranda was delighted to be the 1000th apprentice in the 16-18 age group.

“ I love working at Chandlers BMW, the people are very friendly and I am learning a lot. My training has been excellent and I’m honoured to be the 1000th apprentice. It’s amazing to think that 1000 young people like me have been given a real chance to have a worthwhile career.“

In the last five years, Business Impact has enrolled more than 13,000 learners from a staggering 887 companies all over the UK. Typically apprentices are recruited for business administration, customer service, manufacturing, business improvement techniques, health & social care and warehousing roles. The company now has a national footprint and has recently enrolled apprentices for companies such as HT Media, Automarine Cables, James Burrell, PG Legal and WM Morrison PLC supermarket chain.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Highlights PR .