Nationwide Crash Repair Centres has teamed up with Thatcham to train 38 young technicians on a paint, panel and MET apprenticeship.

All 38 have been employed as productive apprentices at Nationwide sites across the UK and will now complete their apprenticeships at Thatcham’s Automotive Academy on a block release basis over three years - spending two weeks at a time at Thatcham, four times a year.

All the technicians will be supported on site by workplace mentors and NVQ assessors, in association with the “Nationwide Academy” a development programme covering all areas of the Nationwide team.

Michael Wilmshurst, chief executive of Nationwide, said: “We formed our Academy six years ago and remain committed to the development of all of our team offering both technical and commercial apprenticeships, as well as national vocational qualifications, including management, customer service and administration.

“Apprenticeships are a key part of the programme and we look forward to helping these young people develop their skills and potential.”

Coordinating the programme from Nationwide’s perspective is Nationwide Academy director, Yvonne Avison.

She said: “With training provided by Thatcham and funded by the Learning and Skills Council, this structured apprentice programme will provide these young people with an excellent opportunity to succeed in the crash repair industry – the majority of Nationwide’s managers themselves began their careers on the shop floor and we fully expect this group to be the managers of the future.”

Nationwide is expecting at least another 100 young technicians to begin the same apprenticeship programme with Thatcham over the next year continuing the trend that has seen 130 apprentices join Nationwide over the last two years.