Kent and Sussex based, JCB Group, has used the National Apprentice Service to enrol four new apprentices in National Apprenticeship Week.

National Apprenticeship Week (9-13 March 2015) celebrates the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals and businesses.  JCB group are keen supporters of this idea having last year,  developed with the Learning Skill Partnership their own apprenticeship scheme dubbed the “JCB Academy”.

Group HR Manager Anna-Lisa DeVoil is aware that the image of apprenticeships and the automotive sector from the outside is not always positive:   “Unfortunately there is a conception among those outside the industry who don’t see the potential, variety or value of careers in the automotive industry. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Those entering the industry at a relatively junior level can quite easily work their way up the career ladder, because there is room for development and growth. Likewise, there is a huge variety of specialism’s and careers on offer.”

DeVoil  emphasises the benefits to the employing organisation: “From a business development point of view, our apprentices are our very own insiders, who have grown up with technology and intuitively understand our customers’ changing needs. And that brings new skills into JCB Group, which, when mixed with the experience of our longer-serving employees, gives us something special to really drive our customer service ambition.”

The Group has recently recruited four new apprentices . At its site in Bailey Drive, Gillingham Business Park 17 year-old Nicole Rogerson, and 16 year-old Rubina Biring, both from Gillingham joined on Parts and Sales Administration placements respectively. JCB’s Van Centre in St Michael’s Road, Sittingbourne has taken on Daniella Riches, 17, in a Customer Liaison role while the group’s Ashford’s Van Centre has taken on Charlie Hollands as a Part Apprentice.

The JCB Group is Volkswagen UK’s largest Commercial Vehicles retailer. The group was named top Volkswagen (VW) retailer in the South East at the VW One Business Awards for 2015.