![LSH Auto Operations Director Tracy Ellam with the Class of 24 apprentices in Stockport](https://i0.wp.com/marketingstockport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LSH-Auto-Operations-Director-Tracy-Ellam-with-the-Class-of-24-apprentices-in-Stockport.jpg?resize=780%2C400&ssl=1)
Listen to this article here
|
LSH Auto has welcomed 20 new apprentices to join its teams in Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Stockport, Whitefield, Birmingham, Solihull and Tamworth.
The new ‘class of 24’ includes recruits undertaking three-year apprenticeships as Light Vehicle Technicians, Retail Parts Advisors, Paint Technicians and Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET) Technicians, and eighteen-month apprenticeships as Customer Service Experts – Service, Customer Service Experts – Star Experts, and Marketing Executives.
One of the new Light Vehicle Technician Apprentices, Danielle Reynolds, was working as a dog walker before she heard about the Mercedes-Benz Apprenticeship and decided to apply. Danielle said:
“I love tinkering with cars and always wanted to learn more about them. I’d also really like to be a successful female in a male dominated industry. Every single person at LSH Auto has been so lovely and helpful from day one at my induction. I’ve really enjoyed getting my hands dirty in week one.”
Jack Davis, also a Light Vehicle Technician Apprentice, said:
“Originally, I was going to study mechanics at college but then I saw the Mercedes-Benz apprenticeship. I’ve always been a fan of Mercedes-Benz and wanted to work here in some way or another. I thought an apprenticeship would be the perfect way in.
“I met some of the team from LSH Auto and Mercedes-Benz at a careers open day at my school in May this year. I asked them how the apprenticeship worked and about the different courses available and then worked with my careers advisor to fill in all the forms to apply. After that I was offered an interview at LSH Auto and attended an open day at Mercedes-Benz of Stockport which included a tour of the facilities. I then had another interview to talk about what I’d be doing here and then I was offered the apprenticeship.
“I was very nervous when I came for my induction yesterday, it’s a new job and it’s a big company, but as soon as I entered the building, everyone was really welcoming. They made me feel part of the Mercedes-Benz and LSH Auto family straight away. We’ve had a good first couple of days and I’ve already started to make some new friends.”
Many of the apprenticeships are run in partnership with the Mercedes-Benz Academy in Milton Keynes, a state-of-the-art facility where training is provided by experienced coaches and mentors for all Mercedes-Benz apprentices in the UK retail network.
Mercedes-Benz receives more than 10,000 applications each year from across the UK and whittles those down to approximately 250 successful applicants. LSH Auto has committed to supporting 27 of those places this year, which means that there are still some places available in this year’s cohort.
Becky Pitt, Talent Acquisition Specialist at LSH Auto, said:
“Becoming an apprentice is a great way to earn money and a qualification whilst gaining valuable real-life experience in your chosen career. We currently offer ten courses with NVQ Level 3 qualifications and have a number of apprenticeship positions available across our dealerships in Stockport, Macclesfield, Whitefield, Birmingham, Solihull, and Tamworth.”
LSH Auto’s Stockport facility is home to one of the biggest Body, Paint & Preparation Centres in the UK. As such, it has also formed a partnership with Bolton College, to offer specialist apprenticeships for Paint Technicians, Panel Beaters and Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET) Technicians. Becky Pitt continued:
“We have been working with Bolton College for three years and have formed a fantastic partnership whereby we as a company can contribute to the learning requirements of their apprentices.”
With its new intake, LSH Auto now has 74 apprentices working across its Mercedes-Benz dealerships in six locations.
Tracy Ellam (pictured with the new apprentices in Stockport), Operations Director for LSH Auto, said:
“I really enjoyed meeting our new apprentices last week. It’s so important for us to have a strong apprentice intake each year and to invest in their development. It’s wonderful to see them grow over the years and I’m especially pleased to see young women joining our business.”