JCT600 is taking on 28 new apprentices as part of a drive to recruit new talent which will see a total of 100 working across the business by the end of the year.

Over the last two years, the Bradford-based company has expanded its apprenticeship scheme.  It has again offered apprenticeships at most of its 50 dealerships throughout Yorkshire, the North East, the Humber, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire for a variety of roles such as trainee service advisers, apprentice technicians and parts advisers.

The apprenticeships run for two and three years and the apprentices gain NVQ Level 3 qualifications alongside IMI Technical Certificates.

JCT600 last month held induction evenings for the new apprentices and their parents at its York Audi, BMW Bradford and Volkswagen Chesterfield dealerships.

Katie Saunders, HR director for JCT600, said: “For a company of our size to have taken on almost 30 apprentices this year alone is a real achievement, and quite unusual within the motor retail industry.

“We have worked hard to develop a comprehensive apprenticeship scheme which assumes no previous experience or knowledge and provides a complete and structured training and development programme for all new starters. The apprentices benefit from regular reviews, and their development is supported with on site coaching and mentoring as well as site classroom learning.”

Saunders said 90% of apprentices stayed with the company.

JCT600 expects to recruit around another 30 apprentices in 2016 and applications are likely to open next April.

JCT600 has 50 dealerships and represents 18 franchises such as Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW/Mini, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.  The group now has a workforce of over 2,000 people.