Citygate Automotive has become the first major dealer group to trial newly-launched online motor industry recruitment platform Job Co-op automotive.

The company has 380 staff at five Volkswagen retail sites in Ruislip, Watford, Chalfont, Colindale and High Wycombe, with the latter two also being van centres. In addition, it has a Skoda site in Colindale.

Group human resources manager Natalie Morin said: “Job co-op automotive is a new way of looking at recruitment for dealers and we expect that it will bring us access to new people.”

Job Co-op automotive opened last week. Dealers pay a £175 monthly fee to join the platform and when they need to fill a role they can sift through the “talent pool” with the help of a dedicated account manager.

The account manager then contacts the dealer’s preferred candidates, carries out an initial telephone interview based on their criteria, and arranges face-to-face interviews when appropriate. There is then a 1% fee for successful placements.

If no suitable candidate can be found, Job Co-op will also pay the bill for advertising the job.