Solus Apprentice Success Leads to New Recruitment Drive

The future of vehicle crash repair looks to be in capable hands at Solus Accident Repair Centres, as the nationwide network of accident repair centres owned and operated by Aviva announces the next phase of its apprenticeship strategy with the start of a new drive to recruit a new generation of repair technicians.

The announcement coincides with the emerging achievements of existing Solus apprentices who are learning their craft at Thatcham’s Automotive Academy, one of the UK’s leading provider of skills training and accreditation to the motor repair and insurance industries.

Such has been the success of the current scheme that Solus are now commencing active recruitment of another intake of talent to join their new single discipline programme. This will run alongside the existing multi-skilled programme ensuring Solus continue in their goal of producing multi-talented repair experts for the future with in-depth technical knowledge and practical experience.

There are a range of apprentice opportunities at Solus sites across the UK and those who wish to apply have until July 31st 2015 to match their skills, interests and location to the most appropriate vacancy through the online ‘Apprentice Vacancy Matching Service.’

As with all of the Solus ARC apprentice programmes, successful apprentices will achieve a level 3 qualification and IMI accreditation in their selected repair discipline and at the end of the paid two year apprenticeship they will then be offered a job at the Solus site at which they trained. Once qualified their development doesn’t stop there, Solus will continue to invest providing opportunities which over time will include routes into management.

The announcement comes as another Solus apprentice joined graduates in celebrating the completion of their own apprenticeships in front of friends, family, employers and industry supporters at Thatcham’s most recent Apprentice Graduation. As the group of 33 successful apprentices formed the class of 2015, Jamie Jones, 24 of Solus Stansted was singled out by the Thatcham team as an ‘outstanding individual’ as he received a Special Achievement Award from Thatcham’s Chief Executive Peter Shaw, in recognition of his can-do attitude in the face of some difficult challenges.

Following the graduation Peter Shaw said, “As the government commits to increasing investment in young peoples’ development, motor industry apprenticeship schemes will become even more important and accessible. I’m delighted that major players like Solus are recognising the benefits of high quality training and continuing to place so much emphasis on the development of the next generation. Our Academy team are already geared up to providing young people with the very latest learning and the achievements of Jamie Jones and all the other graduates here today are testament to that.”

Simon Smith, Operations Director at Solus ARC added, ““Investing in the future talent of our industry is key to any organisation’s success and Solus continue to invest in the talent of the future whilst evolving our operating models. We remain as committed as ever to creating an environment which allows each and every one of our apprentices to reach their full potential. It gives me great pleasure that we are now actively recruiting for a new wave of apprentices this year who will form the building blocks for our continued success.”