Lookers, the second largest dealer group in the UK, has launched a new recruitment and training initiative aimed at technicians within its Audi division.

The Lookers Audi Technician Immersion Programme is now being rolled out across its nine dealerships and 136 technicians that work across the UK and Ireland.

The new programme is designed to “revolutionise” Lookers’ recruitment and training environment for the next generation of qualified technical specialists within its Audi division. The training element involves programmes delivered by Lookers Audi master technicians.

After an initial evaluation process, successful recruit technicians complete a paper-based technical assessment and practical test before taking part in the programme, which occurs in a classroom and practical workshop environment.

Steve Dean, Lookers Audi managing director, said: “This new and unique recruitment and training process provides us with an excellent indication of the capability of those candidates applying and the additional training and up-skilling needed to ensure we can attract and maintain the technical talent in the marketplace."

Lookers Audi has also introduced special financial incentives and dedicated career development plans to new recruits as part of its concerted focus on raising technical expertise and knowledge and across its network.

Lookers Audi operates across nine dealerships including Basingstoke, Camberley and Guildford (former Colbornes dealerships) as well as Ayr, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hamilton and Stirling in Scotland, and Dublin in Ireland. As part of Lookers’ recent acquisition of Benfield Motor Group, there will be four additional Audi centres across the UK which will be integrated into the scheme over the coming months.