Pendragon is now offering a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship to develop the next leaders within its business.

The new Chartered Management Institute (CMI) apprenticeship programme has been developed by a group of 30 employers and is expected to create more than 30,000 new managers for businesses in the UK within the first year.

Pendragon has already taken on six students within its network on the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship programme. The learning is provided through Nottingham Trent University, so the students split their time between studying at the university and working at their Pendragon placement.

Trevor Finn, Pendragon chief executive, said: "The new scheme will provide a great opportunity to gain a degree-level qualification while gaining invaluable work experience and securing chartered status.

“We are pleased to be able to nuture homegrown talent within the business and support young apprentices as they progress to be our managers of the future.”

One of these apprentices is Thomas Summerfield, 19, who currently holds the role of service advisor graduate at Evans Halshaw Old Trafford.

Summerfield said: “I’m getting the opportunity to work at the UK’s leading automotive retailer, gain a degree in Business Management and Leadership from Nottingham Trent University and become a fully qualified Chartered Manager.

“Being able to work and study at the same time means I’m gaining a deep knowledge of the company and learning a range of vital skills.”