“We are pleased to see that the government has responded to some of the points that have been raised regarding the new apprenticeship levy, however, we are still concerned with the short timescale of implementation”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK.
Scotlands Ash Garage has appointed Jordan Montgomery as its new apprentice, with the independent garage laying out plans to invest in the business’ growth. The company said the appointment reflects its commitment to securing the future of the independent motor trade by supporting the next generation of technicians.
MG Motor UK, has accepted seven new students onto its Automotive Engineering Internship programme for 2016/17. Open to all undergraduates taking relevant degrees within the engineering field, the initiative demonstrates the carmaker’s ongoing commitment to developing young talent.
The government has announced that employers paying the apprentice levy, which will apply to businesses with payroll bills of over £3 million, are expected to register for the digital service by January 2017. Further details about funding, government support, additional support for 16- to 18-year-olds, English and maths payments and eligibility rules are not due to be published until October 2016.
The first eight apprentices have completed their training and been gaining experience at Bosch’s Service Training Centre (STC) while working at their local independent Bosch Car Service garage. Over the last three years the scheme has continued to enrol more and more apprentices each year and this September will mark the fourth year it has been operating, with Bosch currently recruiting for its largest intake yet.
The National Franchised Dealers Association has called on the government to delay the new apprenticeship levy. Due to start in April 2017, the levy will be applied to employers with a wage-bill of over £3 million who will contribute with a tax of 0.5 per cent of their wage-bill. “The NFDA supports recent calls by businesses to the government to delay the apprenticeship levy”, said Sue Robinson, director of the association.
In order to back “some of the most promising automotive apprentices” making their way into the fast fit industry, Bridgestone is lending its support to National Tyres for a fourth consecutive year by providing a number of ‘tyre toolbags’ designed to help apprentices with their career adventures.
Companies in the tyre and auto-care sector have just one week to make their views known on a proposal which could determine the viability of the industry’s future workforce.
In April 2017 a new apprenticeship levy will be introduced with the purpose of increasing the quality and number of apprenticeships across UK. Employers with a wage-bill of less than £3 million will not pay the levy, whereas those with a wage-bill of £3 million or more will have to contribute at a rate of 0.5 per cent of their pay bill. However, the first £3 million of the payroll will be excluded by a discount that will give some relief, in line with smaller businesses.
A Foxwood Diesel apprentice has beaten more than 13,000 hopefuls to be named one of the top engineering and construction apprentices in the country.
Casey Allen (17), who is about to complete level 2 of her apprenticeship and start level 3 at Foxwood Diesel in Old Whittington, was put forward for the award by her apprentice training provider, NLT Training Services, based in Brimington.
Pirelli has supported the 2016 Carlisle Skills Fair alongside other businesses from the local area. Held at the Sands Centre in the city, the event brought together local training providers, employers and career advisors. The aim was to showcase to young people and to those out of work in the area what types of roles are actually on offer and how to make that next step into forging a career. The event was hosted by local MP John Stevenson.
Pirelli has announced its support for the Apprenticeship Charter from Unite and TUC. On Thursday 01 October, Pirelli representatives signed the Apprenticeship Charter at the firm’s Carlisle facility in front of members from Unite, TUC and Cogent as well as a selection of current Pirelli apprentices and managers within the engineering, maintenance and quality departments.
Steve Nash, chief executive of the Institute for the Motor Industry, is calling for government and education bodies to ensure that schools are giving the most impartial advice to young people, given that the mandatory education or training participation age is now raised to 18.
Steve Nash, CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) comments on the manifestos of the main political parties: “It’s tremendously encouraging to see that every political party is making a commitment to the concept of apprenticeships. But we do have a concern about whether the real thinking has been done behind the promises. […]
Cambridgeshire garage machinery firm Hofmann Megaplan has launched an apprenticeship scheme. The provider of wheel aligners, lifts and a broad range of other equipment and tools said that the initiative represented a longer term approach in training up inexperienced individuals receptive to Hofmann Megaplan’s “way of doing business.” The company added that “finding new recruits who can demonstrate the passion and commitment to our brand and philosophy has proven difficult, as those coming from competitors or other sectors within garage equipment often have their own set ways and opinions.”
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