Mitsubishi Motors UK has has a record number of apprenticeship requests from the dealer network for training at its headquarters in Cirencester.

So far this autumn, 20 Mitsubishi dealerships have committed to technician training in Gloucestershire as part of their three-year level three diploma in light vehicle repair, from the Institute of the Motor Industry.

Glyn Lewis, apprentice programme controller for Mitsubishi Motors UK, said: “The demand for places for apprentices has been unprecedented this year and our intake is double the usual number, which is a reflection of how confident the Mitsubishi dealers are feeling.

“The dealers are secure about their future and they are investing in more staff as a result. The dealers want people that are trained from the ground up and able to work on Mitsubishi products, like the Outlander plug-in hybrid vehicle.”

Last year there were 11 apprentices on the scheme and in 2013 there was eight.

The company has also taken on a new apprentice trainer, Gary Preece, to meet the increased demand for places this September.  

Picture caption: The first 11 apprentices to arrive at Cirencester, from left, Jordan Wiltshire, Owen Mills, Luke Lipa, Joshua Standley, Drewen Goode, apprentice programme controller, Glyn Lewis, apprentice trainer Gary Preece, Connor Perry, Sam Eabry, Aaron Lewis, Luke Lockwood and George Youds