Young trainees look to bright future in motor trade

Five young motor trade apprentices are in the vanguard of a new training scheme being launched nationally by a major used vehicle retailer.

ACF Car Finance says its aim is to offer real career opportunities to ambitious starters in the sector, beginning on the showroom floor and with no upper limit to what they can achieve.

The company also says that by "growing its own", it will ensure that customers continue to receive a buying experience which is as highly polished as its cars.

The youngsters, all in their teens, are the first intake to a twelve-month programme which will see them emerge at the other end with VCQ/NVQ Level 2 qualifications.

Each will be based at one of ACF Car Finance's regional showrooms, and will receive workplace training across a wide range of disciplines associated with automotive retailing.

The apprenticeship scheme has been specially structured for the company by national training provider Remit, and is based on its Vehicle Sales training programme, awarded by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

Course content ranges from understanding the dynamics of the vehicle supply chain to dealing with sales enquiries, presenting vehicles, conducting demonstration drives and handing over the car.

But although the training scheme spans twelve months, ACF Car Finance Sales and Marketing Director Norman Beaumont doesn't discount the possibility of early promotion for some participants.

If a trainee shows promise, he says, a permanent sales executive role on full salary may be offered - and a new apprentice then recruited to take that person's place.

"The premise of this programme is to open up opportunities for people keen to excel, and to give them the training and encouragement they need to drive their careers forward," said Mr Beaumont.

"With youth unemployment in Britain at around the one million mark, we are keen to make it known that this industry holds out some very exciting prospects for those willing to learn.

"We want to fuel our growth by recruiting not just time-served personnel, but also those who can be trained in a sector which has seen considerable changes in recent years," he added.

At the end of their apprenticeship, candidates may then be offered an option to progress to a Level 3 qualification - equivalent to at least two A Levels.

Remit’s Chief Operating Officer, Steve Yardley, said: “We work with more than seven thousand apprentices across the country, and as a former apprentice myself, I know what a fantastic start this can be to someone’s career.

“These five young people will earn as they learn, and get valuable on-the-job experience. I look forward to seeing how they progress over the next twelve months and beyond,” he added.

ACF Car Finance, the retail subsidiary of The Funding Corporation of Chester, sells high quality used cars via a national network of vehicle showrooms.

The company's customer base largely comprises individuals who have been refused loans by banks and other major lenders, but who can demonstrate an ability to comfortably afford repayments.

More information is available at www.ACFCarFinance.co.uk

-ENDS-

ACF Car Finance Limited is Britain's leading supplier of high-quality used cars to people whose credit status might otherwise prevent them from obtaining a used car loan. ACF Car Finance has earned a strong reputation within the finance and motor industry for its standards of customer care, and the quality of the friendly, professional advice provided by members of its fully-trained team. The company has a Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ACFCarFinance, and can be followed on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ACFCarFinance.

ACF Car Finance Limited. Registered in England number 4757280. Registered office address: International House, Kingsfield Court, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9RF.

Jane Whittle
Marketing Manager
01244 625 683
07974 328 194
[email protected]