Posted on: June 4, 2014
News from Isuzu: Isuzu Truck has launched a new Advanced Apprenticeship Programme to help its dealers train their top technicians of the future. Acknowledging that the truck industry faces potentially severe staff shortages as the skilled population ages, ITUK has recognized the essential need to have enough highly trained technicians to meet the ever growing demands of customers and their commercial vehicles.
The ITUK Advanced Apprenticeship Programme is in conjunction with Skillnet, which will handle the recruitment of suitable candidates and contact the Isuzu dealers to find out exactly what they are looking for in an apprentice. Skillnet has a nationwide network of resources in schools and colleges, enabling the company to provide top-class candidates for each participating dealership.
The dealers will be required to employ the young apprentice for a minimum of one year and, subject to satisfaction on both sides, a commitment of a further two years is required to complete the apprenticeship. At the end of the three years, the apprentices will progress on to Isuzu’s own Master Technician programme. The investment in time and money for the dealers is a relatively small price to pay for the income that a top quality apprentice can generate over the 36 months of their training. In financial terms alone, experience has shown that during the training period dealers can expect around £65,000 return on investment.
Tim Hicks, General Manager of Training at ITUK says, “We have set up this training programme because we want to develop the best technicians in the world. We are looking for enthusiastic school or college leavers who want a great career in a growing industry. The Isuzu Truck Advanced Apprenticeship Programme is designed to meet the specific needs of the dealerships in our network. All of our apprentices will follow the Advanced Apprenticeship framework, which is a progressive syllabus with each stage taking between 12 and 24 months.”
The first stage of the Apprenticeship qualification includes:
VCQ Level 2 in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
Functional Skills Level 2
IMI Technical Certificate Level 2
The Advance Apprenticeship qualification includes:
VCQ Level 3 in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
Functional Skills Level 2
IMI Technical Certificate Level 3
Hicks adds, “There are so many added benefits to this programme, not least that all apprentices will complete our award-winning ITUK Care course, and gain a first-aid and IRTEC qualification. Apprenticeships are ‘jobs with training’ and dealers who join our programme will be showing great commitment to the future of their workforce, staff development and the industry as a whole. As well as providing great careers for a number of young people we’re really looking forward to adding to our fantastic team of Isuzu Master Technicians throughout the country. ”
A number of ITUK dealers have already signed up for the programme. Martin Ward, Managing Director of Weston’s Car & Commercials in Hitchin says, “We’ve signed up for the Isuzu Advanced Apprenticeship Programme because we want to invest in the future of the industry, our brand, our business and of course our customers.