Dealership group to create six apprenticeship posts in Stockport

Car dealership group, Lookers, is to create six Stockport apprenticeships as part of a nationwide recruitment drive.

The Manchester headquartered business has announced its largest planned in-take of apprentices, with 180 new roles to be created across the UK and Ireland. The company is particularly seeking to attract female apprentices into the automotive trade and build on the launch of an industry-wide Female Apprenticeship Network.

Lookers’ apprenticeship programme offers young people a wide range of roles across the country ranging from customer facing to technical roles with leading car marques. Apprentices may join dealerships as Service and Parts Advisors, Service Technicians and Body Repairers.

In Stockport, roles will be created at five dealerships, representing Volvo, Renault, Skoda, Seat and Kia brands. Two further apprentice roles will also be created at Manchester dealerships.

Duncan McPhee, Chief Retail Operations Officer, said:

Lookers is committed to apprenticeships as part of our continued investment to attract bright, young and ambitious talent into the business. We are delighted to offer 180 apprenticeship roles across the country, providing young people with the opportunity to build their confidence, skills, and experience in a dynamic and continually evolving industry.

“The Lookers Apprenticeship Programme has enabled our company to develop many high-calibre, talented individuals, many of whom have gone on to receive industry and national recognition. This investment also demonstrates our confidence and ambition for the future despite the difficult challenges of this year.”

Lookers has recently been recognised for the quality of training on offer at the dealership group, and is the only motor retailer recognised with Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer status. Matt Clay, Group Qualifications Manager, who runs the apprenticeship programme, said:

It’s a testament to the success of our investment in new talent for both Lookers and our apprentices that we’ve been able to offer an increased number of roles this year. Not only do our apprenticeships enable us to help meet the future demands of our customers, we have also encouraged more young, talented women to join the business through this route.

“We are proud to have led the development of an industry-wide Female Apprenticeship Network to help inspire the next generation of female leaders in the automotive industry. Encouraging greater diversity in our next generation of talent is a priority for Lookers.”

Prospective apprentices are encouraged to apply through the Lookers Apprenticeship Programme recruitment website page over the next few weeks.

Image: Lookers apprentices at work, with Chief Retail Officer Duncan MacPhee (centre)