Lookers has welcomed another 150 apprentices into its car retail business and launched a brand-new traineeship program to help develop its talent of the future.

The number of apprentices at the AM100 group now totals at 500, with an additional eight female technical apprentices being added as part of the group’s continued drive to create a diverse workforce.

Eleven of these female apprentices - which now total 17 across the group - recently met up at a special event at Team Sport Go Karting in Manchester as part of the Lookers Female Apprentice Network.

The event saw the young apprentices meet up, share opinions and experiences, as well as attend a workshop with Julia Muir from the Automotive 30% Club, who helped to inspire them with stories of young women who are now helping to shape the future of the Industry.

Lookers’ group qualifications manager, Matthew Clay, said: “We are really proud of our Apprenticeship Programme, which has attracted a strong intake again this year.

"As one of the biggest employers in the motor industry it’s imperative that we continue to inspire young people and help them to consider the sector as a viable career option.

“We have also seen our female apprentice numbers increase by over 100% over the last two years, which has allowed us to disprove a number of myths around the attractiveness of the motor industry, particularly in technical roles.”

The Group recently launched a 12-week traineeship programme at the Lookers Audi Group Paint and Body and Preparation Centre in North Tyneside, which aims to give young people out of work and education the opportunity to gain full time employment.

Lookers Audi Preparation Centre’s general manager, David Morallee, said:  “I am very proud to be able to be able to launch this traineeship which is going to provide young people with a real alternative to the traditional routes to employment.

"I know a Program like this would have really benefitted me as I was deciding what direction to take after education.”

The course will include both practical work experience and class-based tuition, with the aim of upskilling the students, enhancing their ability to progress on to the Apprenticeship Programme and possibly a full-time position at Lookers.

Pictured: Rebecca Brown, Lookers Vauxhall apprentice