Jardine Motors Group will aim to increase gender diversity and boost customer experience as part of a recruitment drive for its retailers in the North East.
Aiming to add new staff members to its Toyota and Lexus sites across Wearside, Durham and Newcastle, the operation will see new recruits benefit from the AM100 group’s “significant investment in training and development”, a statement said.
Clare Martin, Group HR director of Jardine Motors Group, said: “The car industry is one of the most exciting to be in right now. It is a constantly evolving sector – a fact which the new deadline of 2040 for all new cars to be electric has only highlighted.
“We need people who take pride in their work, have ambitions to be the best and want to deliver an exceptional customer experience.”
Jardine currently employs more than 120 people in the North East and is continuing to make significant investment in training and development for current employees as well as new recruits in roles across front of house and sales.
Martin said: “As we grow, and prepare for cars with new technology we are bringing in more people from other industries to work for us – last month 52% of our new recruits were from outside of our industry.
“However, to reach its full potential, UK automotive must continue to invest, as we are, in workers that can embrace and adapt to the ever changing car buying environment – which is what we’re looking for at our North East dealerships.
“To bring in the right people we want the right balance of gender, skills sets and passion to learn. We have created careers with a healthy work life balance as a result of our own research which found that 66% of people want working hours that suit their lifestyle.
“We offer flexible working, flexitime, part-time working and continuous learning to make sure that everyone at Jardine Motors Group feels confident and can progress in their roles.”
Mike Oxard - 03/10/2017 13:17
It will be interesting to see the 12 month retention rates of new recruits - particularly those from outside the industry and those involved in sales. The reality is that the motor industry is years behind the curve - expecting far too many hours, endless weekend and bank holiday working, late nights, far too much pressure. In my experience, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit people who will put up with such working practices - and rightly so.