As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2022, we discuss the reasons why apprenticeships are a brilliant option for people who want to launch their careers in a real-world working environment.
Every person who has ever considered taking on an apprenticeship has asked the following question: is an apprenticeship right for me? We met with Stuart Crockford, Group Technical Support, and a mentor who looks after several apprentices at Richmond Motor Group Hyundai. During our discussion, we talked about the benefits of an apprenticeship, the life of an apprentice, and the possibilities upon completion.
How do apprentices apply for an apprenticeship at Richmond?
Stuart: The manufacturer, which in my case is Hyundai, headhunts students from local schools and colleges through their Academy. The Academy wants to make sure that they select the right students, so they usually base their decisions on students' grades, performance, ability, and eagerness to learn.
Once students are shortlisted, we invite them to our dealerships to have a look around (parents included) and understand what the life of an apprentice will be like by talking to current apprentices who are about to graduate. We will then conduct interviews at home via video link (due to government COVID-19 guidelines). The questions we usually ask the students at their interview are more of an information-gathering exercise as to why they want to do an apprenticeship and what they hope to achieve. We then cover what work and training they would carry out and allow the students to ask any questions.
When interviews have been completed, we get back to applicants within a day or two. Richmond will then organise a start date for the apprentice.
How is the apprenticeship structured?
Stuart: Hyundai Academy sets out a training plan for all apprentices. Learning is a mixture of in the workshop, classroom, and online via a portal. Every six weeks, apprentices must attend college in Nottingham at Hyundai's Academy for three days. During this time, students learn the theory work behind certain processes as well as complete work in the Academy’s workshop.
Before any apprentices submit their coursework to Hyundai Academy, I usually mark their work and give feedback. This ensures the apprentice is happy and confident that their work is ready to submit for its final marking. Additionally, each apprentice gets an assessor who undertakes regular visits to participating dealerships to carry out coaching and assessments. During this time, the assessor aims to ensure students are on track and have the support they need to complete their work in a timely manner.
The apprenticeship itself is over 3-years. It consists of 300 hours of theory-based coursework and 900 hours of on-the-job learning.
What qualifications do apprentices achieve at the end of their apprenticeship?
Stuart: Once the apprenticeship is complete, apprentices will gain a full Apprenticeship Completion Certificate from the IMI. A Level 3 for VCQ (Vocationally Competent Qualification) and VRQ (Vocationally Related Qualification). This qualification allows them to work on a range of Hyundai products.
What are the next steps in terms of progression after completing an apprenticeship?
Stuart: We train our employees to become Experts, Master Technicians, or Master Specialists.
The three levels that can be achieved after apprenticeship qualification include:
- 1. Expert level – this gives an apprentice a lot more responsibility around the workplace, such as the ability to repair our Hyundai cars.
- 2. Master Technician (online learning) – A master technician can modify a Hyundai vehicle to the customer’s liking.
- 3. Master’s Specialist – works on our Hyundai EV range.
Finally, why would you recommend an apprenticeship?
Stuart: Apprenticeships provide one of the best ways of gaining hands-on experience and knowledge in the industry. Other reasons include getting paid while you learn, developing transferable skills to add to your CV, building contacts, becoming an essential part of the team, and progressing within the business. We are lucky because several apprentices who received training through the Richmond Hyundai network have stayed with us. As employees of Richmond (and as a mentor), we try our best to encourage apprentices to grow with the company.
We would like to say a big thanks to Stuart who took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. It has been great to gain valuable information about apprenticeship roles at Richmond Motor Group and we hope this information has been incredibly useful to you as well. If you would like more information or to apply - please visit Hyundai's dedicated Apprenticeship page.
Stay tuned if you’d like to hear what the life of an apprentice is like from one of our apprentices.
All applicants are welcome at Richmond Motor Group Hyundai irrespective of gender and ethnic group. All we ask for is someone that has the ambition and can demonstrate a willingness to learn, who is excited to work with like-minded people on our extensive range of vehicles, and who has the motivation to show an interest in an ever-expanding industry.