Member Article

York apprentice triumphs at national awards

A seventeen-year-old commercial vehicle apprentice has beaten competition from over 450 fellow trainees to be named ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the annual Mercedes-Benz UK Apprentice of the Year awards.

Second-year apprentice technician Harry Atkinson, based at York’s Northside Truck and Van, a franchise of the Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle (CV) Dealer Group, was awarded at a ceremony in May and will be spending a week working at the Mercedes Formula One team ahead of the British Grand Prix as part of his prize.

Harry, who was one of three Northside finalists at the Mercedez-Benz awards, was recognised for his outstanding attitude during site visits, within the classroom and while tackling assessments. Northside’s Apprenticeship Programme sees candidates selected following rigorous assessments and interviews where displaying passion, enthusiasm and commitment to the CV industry are key. The programme involves a four day induction where apprentices are introduced to the management team before a stay at Mercedes-Benz’ dedicated training academy in Milton Keynes.

Dealer Principal, Tim Ward, said: “Harry is a credit to the York dealership and to our Apprenticeship Programme. His passion and determination have shone through from the start and it’s an excellent achievement for him to have been named Apprentice of the Year by Mercedes-Benz, all the staff at Northside are incredibly proud of him and his fellow finalists.”

Harry, joined at the ceremony by fellow Northside apprentices and award finalists, Alex Seddon and Josh Allen from the Hull dealership, said: “It’s a fantastic feeling to have won Apprentice of the Year. The programme at Northside really is brilliant, I’ve already learnt so much both in terms of practical skills and personal development. Northside has a 100% pass rate and 98% retention rate for apprentices so I’m looking forward to my future career with the York team.”

Northside Truck and Van currently has 22 apprentices across its seven dealerships and its Apprenticeship Programme has been shortlisted for “Apprenticeship of the Year” at the MotorTransport Awards 2015.

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