Auto trade recruiter and trainer Skillnet has appointed Jonathan Foot as operations director to support the introduction of its new network of regional skills managers.

Skillnet recruits and trains more than 4,000 people nationally each year from apprentices to dealer principals across a range of industries.

Lee Acton, chief executive, Skillnet, said: “With the change in the apprenticeship levy approaching, Skillnet is in a really good position to help larger dealers and employers achieve a smooth transition.  Jonathan will play a key role in making that happen.”

Foot brings 20 years’ experience in teaching, learning and assessment. 

He began his career as an assessor and progressed into quality and operational roles at Rathbone, TQ Training and most recently Ingeus.

Foot said: ““The skills coaches at Skillnet have years of valuable experience, empathy and knowledge to pass on transferable skills to our learners”

One of Foot’s immediate tasks is to recruit a network of regional skills managers: “These people will have a strong local knowledge and understanding that will enable them to build effective relationships with local employers and dealers.”