Suzuki GB has awarded 19 technicians, customer service advisors and aftersales parts consultants among the latest graduates from its Advanced Apprenticeship Programme (AAP).

A gathering of 16 of the young cohort of trainees from across the UK attended a prestigious annual ceremony at Coombe Abbey, in Warwickshire, to mark the successful completion of the 24- or 36-month scheme.

Suzuki GB’s managing director, Nobuo Suyama, and director of aftersales, Denis Houston handed out the awards.

Houston said: “The graduation ceremony is the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication.

“It is always a proud moment for not only the apprentices themselves, but also for their families and employers who have played a pivotal role in supporting each of the individuals.

“They should all be commended for the great lengths that they have gone to in order to enable the learning and development of these young trainees.”

Suzuki’s AAP learning initiative combines practical hands-on experience with classroom-based tuition at the Bosch-run state-of-the-art Doncaster training centre which was officially opened last summer.

Each of the employees from Suzuki’s nationwide dealer networks undertook a combination of practical on-the-job learning and expert tuition at the Bosch-run state-of-the-art Doncaster training centre in South Yorkshire.

Commenting on the success of the latest cohort of graduates from the scheme, Houston added: “We would like to congratulate the graduates on their achievement, and they are certainly destined for very bright futures as they continue their professional careers within our dealerships.”

The apprentices who attended the 2019 graduation ceremony from franchised car retail operations were:

Automobile technicians

Craig Strang, Brenwood Motor Co in Fife

Daniel Taylor, Hilton Suzuki Bedford

Harvey Thomas, Fleming Brothers Ltd in Hunstanton

Joseph Crowley-Atkinson, Colin Appleyard Ltd in Keighley

Joshua Parry, ChapelHouse Suzuki in Wigan

Michael Callaghan, Luscombe Suzuki in Leeds

Aftersales parts consultants

Elliot Casler-Watton, Wycliffe Suzuki in Rugby

Sam Harrison, Blackshaws Garage in Alnwick

Customer service advisor

Joel Bufton, Ludlow Motors

Motorcycle technician

Kieran Child, Colin Appleyard Motorcycles in Keighley