Harratts, the family-owned and run motor group, is investing in a new apprenticeship scheme following a 30% rise in new car business year-to-date.

The Wakefield-based company, which has 13 dealerships and employs 300 people across Yorkshire, is using the sales momentum to invest in staff and infrastructure.

The motor group is launching an initiative with Learning Skills Partnership (LSP) to create dozens of new roles within the business.

Initially taking on 26 apprenticeships, all local 16 to 18-year-olds, the new ‘product geniuses’ have been employed by Harratts to gain work experience and receive sales and product training along with qualifications to set them on their chosen path within the group.

In August, Harratts also invested in its digital infrastructure including a new website and an intranet software system, enabling individual dealerships access to central marketing assets.

Shaun Harratt, managing director, said: “Having looked at our sales figures for the year so far, we’re really pleased to see the business outperforming 2012 across both new and used car sales.
“By incorporating improvements as part of a long-term strategy to move Harratts towards a more structured, process driven group, we are now seeing the benefits of those changes.

“With investment in both infrastructure and our new apprenticeship scheme, these new initiatives will help Harratts maintain our already recognised five star customer service and continue to improve sales year-on-year.”