A SHORTAGE of new blood has seen local garages lining up to take on apprentice motor mechanics.
Ten trainees are needed to fill jobs at garages in the Leek, Buxton, Bakewell, Ripley, Whaley Bridge and New Mills areas. And training provider Buxton & Leek College wants to hear from any interested young people who hold the minimum qualification of a Grade C in either Maths or English.
Apprentices, aged 16 to 24, will train on the job in local garages for 30 hours per week and spend a day at Buxton & Leek College’s training centre on the Harpur Hill Business Park in Buxton. They will be qualified to Level 2 and Level 3 Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair standard and have guaranteed work at the end of their training.
College Motor Vehicle assessor Graham Vernon said: “Motor mechanics used to be looked upon as a dirty fingernail profession but it’s now very high tech as modern vehicles are repaired and serviced using computer diagnostic equipment.
“We’ve got opportunities for trainees to work on both light and heavy vehicles and they could go on to further training to qualify as MOT testers. There is certainly no shortage of work for trained technicians and the career path is there for young trainees to take and progress as far as they want to. Job security comes guaranteed.”
Former Buxton & Leek College student Lauren Crook, aged 23, from New Mills recommends the apprenticeship route to youngsters with the drive to succeed. Only a year after finishing her Motor Vehicle apprenticeship with SAABTec, on the Glossop Brook Business Park, Lauren was promoted to Assistant Manager heading a team of five at the garage which offers sales, servicing and repairs for all SAAB models. Lauren said: “I loved training at Buxton & Leek College as everyone was so friendly – even though the facilities when I was an apprentice were not half as modern and warm as the new £1 million training centre students are enjoying today.”
Young people who are interested in the apprenticeship opportunity can talk to Graham Vernon directly on 07901 513 424 or contact him via e-mail at g.vernon@blc.ac.uk