Kwik Fit is looking to take on 320 new apprentices this year across its four UK training academies.

The repair and servicing company said the investment in training was because it recognises that apprentices are the “long-term lifeblood” of the business.

Paul Binks, head of learning and development at Kwik Fit, said: “We are committed to providing long term, on-going training, and the results can be seen by the fact that our apprentices rise up the ranks within the company.

“We are confident that many of our 2012 recruits will be managing our centres in the years to come.”

A Kwik Fit apprenticeship lasts two years and provides five additional units of qualification compared to an equivalent course carried out in college environment.

Last year, Kwik Fit received more than 18,000 applications for 120 places.