Arnold Clark has started its search for 400 new apprentices to join the company in 2023.

The dealer group’s apprenticeship programme offers anyone over 16 years of age the opportunity to learn skills and gain a recognised qualification.

In 2021, the scheme was awarded the AM Award for Apprenticeship Programme of the Year.

All apprentices will receive training as they work at an Arnold Clark site, and some will also attend week-long training blocks at one at Arnold Clark’s industry-accredited GTG training centres.

Jennifer Miller, early careers operations manager at Arnold Clark, said: “Apprenticeships provide Arnold Clark with talent and ideas to drive our business forward. We know young people could attend college, university or some other form of further education, but it’s not for everyone.

“Our apprenticeships allow young people to start on a career path from day one and earn while they learn. We’re proud of our track record of helping apprentices go on to a successful career, both at Arnold Clark and within the wider industry.”

Arnold Clark has opportunities at its branches throughout Scotland and England with vacancies in a wide range of locations, including Inverness, Carlisle, Newcastle, Merseyside.

The business currently employs 711 apprentices, with 96% of them going onto a full-time position with the Group.

While many of the apprenticeships offered are in traditional motor trade roles, such as technicians, spray painters, body repairers and parts advisors, there are additional opportunities in our new apprenticeship discipline as an aftersales apprentice

JCT600 apprentices told the AM News Show how they overcame stigma about the automotive sector to find a new ‘home from home’ in Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz franchised dealership roles.

In one episode from the latest instalment of the popular Youtube video and podcast series AM news and features editor Tom Sharpe was joined by JCT600 head of colleague experience Nicola Tordoff-Sohne, Aston Martin Leeds apprentice technician Sophie Bailey and Mercedes-Benz Sheffield apprentice service advisor Ben Collinson to discuss the reality of a key route into the sector for the next generation of automotive talent.