Motoring organisation RAC has launched a unique apprenticeship scheme in a bid to develop future generations of technicians and address the ever-increasing shortage of apprentices in the automotive industry*.
Motoring organisation RAC has launched a unique apprenticeship scheme in a bid to develop future generations of technicians and address the ever-increasing shortage of apprentices in the automotive industry*.
Endorsed by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the leading qualifications body in the retail motor industry and positively welcomed by Automotive Skills Ltd, RAC’s Apprenticeship scheme has been developed to address the skills shortage and provide the automotive industry with more choice when it comes to developing their workforce.
RAC technical training manager Damian O’Connor said: “It is becoming increasingly difficult to attract talented young people into the automotive industry, though the demand for qualified technicians is continuing to grow. With the RAC Apprenticeship scheme we are planning to address this shortfall to ensure we have enough qualified, highly skilled technicians for the future, to meet the needs of the dealerships, independent garages and all breakdown organisations.”
For more than 100 years RAC has been providing technical training. Initially to the "motor servants" of the members of the Royal Automobile Club and then to its own RAC patrol network. RAC’s nationwide network is the best in the industry, fixing a higher percentage of vehicles at the roadside than any other breakdown organisation. For many years RAC has also been providing bespoke training to motor manufacturer technicians.
The aim of the scheme is to ensure Apprentices receive the highest quality training in vehicle maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair, equipping them to better deal with the ever-increasing complexity of new technology each new generation of vehicle brings and the new challenges that the removal of block exemption will create.
This scheme offers flexibility with a ‘roll-on, roll-off’ 3˝ year course, using a combination of training centre-based activity, monthly regional workshop days and one to one mentoring. An assessment process allows the RAC trainers to work with the employer in selecting the prospective Apprentices, to make certain the best possible applicants are employed and recruited onto the scheme. With a higher percentage of the training taking place at the Apprentice's workplace, RAC has been able to reduce the block release, which means less impact on the employer, a major factor affecting the success of other apprenticeship schemes.
The Apprenticeship scheme will initially be available to motor manufacturers and through RAC’s nationwide network of contractor partners, many of whom provide service directly to the public, as well as providing support to other breakdown organisations.
Chief executive, Institute of the Motor Industry, Sarah Sillars commented:
"It’s critical that the motor industry recruits capable and motivated individuals and helps them develop their skills in what is an increasingly challenging but highly rewarding sector of industry. As the professional association for the automotive sector, the IMI looks forward to supporting RAC’s new apprenticeship scheme.”
James Holyfield, workforce development manager Automotives Skills, added: "Due to the increased technology found in motor vehicles it is essential that the industry attracts the calibre of candidates with the technical competence to maintain the cars of the future. Automotive Skills applauds the RAC's apprenticeship program that not only address the skills shortages in our industry but provides a broader experience for learners where they have the opportunity to be exposed to different parts of the sector and have the benefit of receiving their instruction from highly qualified and experienced RAC trainers."
The scheme has already attracted apprentices from motor manufacturers Hyundai, Daihatsu and Kia as well as technicians from within RAC’s network of contractor partners who visited RAC’s Training Centre at its Control Centre at Walsall on Thursday 20 October to mark the start of their apprentice training.
Commenting on the scheme, CBI director-general Sir Digby Jones said: "The RAC's Apprenticeship scheme provides much needed technical training. Apprenticeships offer benefits for employers - and young people - creating the skilled workforce essential to maintain high quality service. The CBI welcomes RAC's collaborative approach working with a network of employers and providing a flexible framework to respond to future technical skills needs.
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*A current shortfall of over 15,000 apprentices
(Figure taken from the Retail Motor Industry pay guide 2003 in association with Sewells Information and Research)
For more information contact:
Tamsin Johnston
RAC Rescue PR Manager
tel: 01922 727434
mob: 07860 414007
Notes to editors
- Motoring organisation RAC provides breakdown assistance and support to individual Members and Corporate Customers (fleet and commercial vehicles)
- Founded in 1897, RAC, the UK’s first breakdown organisation, has been fixing vehicles longer than any one else. It provides a 24-hour, 365-day breakdown assistance to more than 7 million motorists across the UK and has maintained a competitive service for over 108 years. RAC members have either purchased RAC breakdown assistance cover directly or have cover via their vehicle manufacturer, insurer or contract hire provider.
- RAC attends to around 2.76 million breakdowns a year in the UK and Northern Ireland and its 1,500-strong patrol network fix a higher percentage of vehicles than any other breakdown organisation. RAC Rescue has more 3,000 colleagues working out of six key locations across the UK, all supporting its members' experience, along with a nationwide network of 600 contractors and 150 direct sales agents. RAC Rescue also has 150 colleagues employed across continental Europe who draw upon a network of contractors and partners to provide breakdown assistance to members when they are abroad.
- Aviva, Norwich Union's parent company, recently announced its acquisition of RAC. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance
About Norwich Union Insurance
- Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer with a market share of around 14 per cent
- With a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses, Norwich Union insures:
- one in five households
- one in seven motor vehicles
- around 800,000 businesses
- Norwich Union products are available through a variety of distribution channels including brokers, corporate partners such as banks and building societies and Norwich Union Direct.