JCT600 is set to launch its latest hunt for the future stars of the automotive retail sectors after recruiting a total of 40 new apprentices in 2018.

The Bradford-based retail group said that it had welcomed 12 more apprentices to the business than originally planned in 2018 and has retained 100 scheme participants during the past five years.

Now it is preparing to host a new series of assessment days for young people and their parents to give them more information about the company and the wide variety of roles available, from trainee service advisers to apprentice technicians and parts apprentices. 

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Katie Saunders, HR director at JCT600, said: “When young people are looking for job opportunities, the motor industry may not necessarily be a sector which they immediately think of.

“However, it has undergone a huge transformation in recent years with companies like JCT600 investing in high tech showrooms and specially tailored training programmes to attract the brightest talent.

“Motor retail also offers a huge choice of roles, many of which potential recruits may not be aware of, for example, the parts adviser is proving to be a great choice for those new to the sector.

“Most of all, what we’re looking for is potential.  We want enthusiastic young people with a genuine passion to learn and embrace our culture which is all about putting the customer at the core of everything we do. 

“While having some academic qualifications and IT skills is desirable, being hardworking, motivated and having a ‘can-do’ attitude is more important. 

“In return, we’ll invest in your training and give you support along the way, enabling you to develop your career with JCT600 as well as providing all of the benefits you would expect from one of the Sunday Times’ ‘best companies to work for’.

“We’ve worked hard over the last five years to design a programme which gives our apprentices the training they need for their chosen role, it’s fantastic to see so many bright, young people joining the JCT600 family and making their future with us.”

In 2019 JCT600 will again be running two and three year apprenticeships resulting in NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications alongside IMI Technical Certificates.

As well as providing supportive managers and colleagues throughout JCT600, the company also gives each apprentice their own trained mentor in the work place and a vocational learning adviser linked to their training college.