Member Article

Northgate announces its 2015 Apprenticeship Programme

Northgate Vehicle Hire is launching its 2015 apprentice programme this month, coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from the 9th of March, and celebrates the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Northgate, the UK’s market leader in flexible vehicle hire, is planning to launch seven branches in the next three months and will be taking on 24 new apprentices across its network, highlighting the value it places upon developing employees’ skills through the apprenticeships.

The three-year programme will include 12 apprentices from Ford and 12 from Mercedes, beginning this September. On completion of the programme, the 24 apprentices will have gained invaluable skills and experience in both practical and theory elements.

Jonathan Chadwick, aged 21 and based at Northgate’s Hull branch, is currently coming to the end of his three year apprenticeship with Northgate, having specialised in Ford vehicles. He commented: “I found the vacancy whilst looking for mechanical apprenticeships on a government website. The programme has been part practical and part theory, which has really helped my development. During the programme I’ve been involved with everything from software (IDS) work to replacing and fixing engines and what I’ve done in the workshop has been supported by the college course that is also part of the programme.”

He continued: “The Northgate apprenticeships are a great way to get into the industry, learn valuable skills that you can build a career from and open the door for career progression, I’ve now secured a job and the future is very exciting.”

Ian Dunn, Head of Learning and Development at Northgate, commented: “The apprenticeship programme at Northgate is designed to ensure that not only do our apprentices develop critical skills to prepare them for a career in the automotive industry, they gain the best knowledge of the company too. Each apprentice will have access to a Northgate mentor to guide them through their time on the programme. We are currently recruiting for apprentices once again, who will start in September. “

Steven Graham, Northgate’s UK Head of Workshop Operations, commented: “We have had a really positive financial year and the best way to ensure we keep enjoying such success is to make sure we have the best people. The service industry that we are part of is becoming dramatically more and more competitive and a sure way to maintain a competitive edge is to invest in the people we work with. The scheme is really hands on, giving our apprentices the best knowledge for a career in the vehicle hire industry.”

Last month, Northgate achieved Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) accreditation meaning its management employees are now able to access the ILM diploma or certificate, highlighting the company’s investment in staff across all areas of the business.

Northgate Vehicle Hire now has sites across 73 locations in the UK & Ireland, with its head office in Darlington. For further information on Northgate please visit www.northgatevehiclehire.co.uk or follow the company on Twitter at twitter.com/northgatevhire.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .