Reaseheath College has secured 25 new apprenticeship positions for young people thanks to a collaboration with heavy goods vehicle commercial parts suppliers.
The Level 2 and Level 3 HGV specific parts, sales and marketing apprenticeships will run in partnership with Independent Motor Trade Factors Associated Ltd (IFA), one of the most successful motor factor buying and distribution groups in the UK.
The group approached Reaseheath for a training solution which would offer a clear career path for young people within the HGV parts sector. After discussions with Reaseheath Training, the Cheshire college’s apprenticeship team, fifteen IFA employers chose Reaseheath as their preferred training provider.
The IFA group will work in partnership with Reaseheath Training to develop the bespoke parts, sales and marketing apprenticeship programme specific to the HGV parts supplier field. Training will be on a block release basis and will give the apprentices practical experience in the college’s modern workshops along with a sound understanding of how to select, order and issue parts. The young people will also learn good customer service skills and gain greater understanding of how their role impacts on the wider industry.
The first cohort of apprentices will begin their training in September 2017.
Simon Smedley, spokesman for the IFA and director of HGV Direct, said: “We’ve found a clear gap in provision when it comes to specific training for young people entering the field of heavy duty parts supplies. This specific programme of study, delivered by Reaseheath in its excellent training facilities, is just what the industry needs to enhance our reputation as a viable and attractive career option for young people.”
Reaseheath’s Head of Apprentices Sharon Yates added: “We are delighted to be working with the IFA group to further broaden career opportunities for young people. We look forward to working closely with the IFA to ensure this brand new training programme really meets the needs of our employers.”
Reaseheath’s engineering department has an international reputation for training excellence and is the training provider of choice for some of the world’s leading manufacturers such as CLAAS, New Holland, JCB and Case IH. The college already successfully delivers an Agricultural Engineering Apprenticeship in Parts, Sales and Marketing.
Reaseheath is renowned for its excellent engineering facilities and for its experienced lecturers, many of whom have worked in the HGV industry.
The engineering department, which already has outstanding facilities including 18 purpose built workshops with industry standard equipment, is about to expand with the addition of a state-of-the-art engineering centre. The new build, which is due for completion later this year, will provide six additional workshops, a technology laboratory and further classrooms and offices.
For further details on these and other apprenticeships contact Reaseheath Training on 01270 613221; E: apprenticeships@reaseheath.ac.uk
Thank you to M. Downes Earthworks Ltd for loaning one of their HGV vehicles for the day.
