Volvo Car UK doubles retailers’ temporary vehicle technician support

Volvo Car UK has doubled the number of contractors within its Temporary Technician Programme (TTP) with Autotech Recruit after the initiative provided over 30,000 hours of workshop support.

TTP was created in 2018 to enable Volvo to tap into Autotech Recruit’s network of over 450 temporary technicians and bridge workforce gaps, helping the Swedish premium car brand’s network of over 100 dealerships to maintain the right level of resource and capacity.

Initially, eight Autotech Recruit contractors undertook manufacturer training at Volvo’s Training and Development Centre to meet OEM standard before being made bookable through a dedicated portal at a fixed hourly rate.

Now Autotech Recruit has doubled the number of temporary technicians under the programme, to meet demand.

Simon King, Managing Director of Autotech Group, said: “The skills shortage is affecting the entire industry. Dealership workshops are no different from independent garages in this respect – they still need to recruit vehicle technicians to ensure they are running at optimum capacity.

“However, they do need technicians with the brand-specific skill set, which is why we created TTP and the MLP. We are delighted with the ongoing success of the programmes, which is demonstrative of the demand for additional resources.

“We continue to invest heavily in our contractors to ensure they are trained to the highest level so we can provide the best solution to our clients. This not only ensures the industry can meet growing demand efficiently, but it also safeguards the career of vehicle technicians.”

Since 2018, Autotech Recruit’s original team of eight TTP contractors filled over 755 weeks for Volvo retailers, the business said, helping to cover absences and recruitment gaps. The initiative has been utilised by over 70% of the Volvo network.

Phil Murton, Volvo Car UK’s aftersales programmes manager, said: “Volvo Car UK is delighted that the Volvo Temporary Technician Programme, working with Autotech Recruit, continues to support its customers and retailers in times of need, and the latest addition of Volvo-trained and certified technicians not only strengthens the programme, but demonstrates VCUK’s commitment to constantly adapting.”

After identifying a need for a TTP-type programme to help support other OEM retail networks Autotech Recruit launched its Manufacturer Led Recruitment Programme (MLP).

MLP has now filled over 112,000 hours for vehicle manufactures including BMW, Toyota, and Ford to name just a few, helping to deliver claimed labour and OEM part sales of £20m.

David Wilson, who joined Autotech Recruit as a temporary vehicle technician in May 2021, entered into the Volvo TTP in March.

He said that the role has allowed him to gain extensive training ad regular work. Wilson said: “Since joining Autotech Recruit, I have received more training in 12 months than I did in almost a decade. So, when the opportunity to train with Volvo arose, I took it. Not only does this enable me to learn new skills and be trained to manufacturer standard, but it also increases my earning potential.

“Through Autotech Recruit, I undertook 30 hours of online training and three days at Volvo’s training facility in Daventry. On completion, I was placed within the Volvo dealership in Hinckley, and I haven’t looked back.”