The Alliance Autocentre are proud to introduce the first independent block release National Apprenticeship Programme in the UK. 

Launched at the beginning of October 2007, working in partnership with Delphi Training Services, the Alliance Autocentre National Apprenticeship Programme is now freely available to all our members. Full Funding is available for 16-18 year olds and part funding for 19-24 year olds.

The National Apprenticeship Programme allows our members to invest in their businesses future. By investing in an apprentice; our members can acquire specialist skills for their business that allows them to improve productivity and develop people who are keen to learn and work hard.

The Programme is designed specifically to meet the needs of the independent aftermarket. The training provided will always be relevant and delivered by the industry for the industry.

The Programme runs for 3 years but is ultimately governed by the ability of the apprentice and the opportunities that you provide them to gain the necessary experience. The Programme is run as a residential course in a block release format not day release as with other apprenticeship schemes. The first year is completed in a nine week block, the second in a seven week block and the third year a four week block. This ensures that the apprentice is focused, productive quickly and starts to earn the business revenue as soon as possible. In years 2 and 3 the apprentice is spending more time at work and less time at the training centre ensuring that your return on investment increases in line with the apprentice experience and knowledge.

We are also commited to provide our members with an efficient, professional, recruitment and selection process to ensure they have the right candidate representing their business. We provide the relevant training using the highly experienced and accredited trainers at the new Delphi training facility located in Warwick.

The apprentice will be regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure they are progressively working towards their qualification, Technical Certificate VRQ and IMI NVQ Level 3 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (Light Vehicle) together with key skills in literacy, numeracy and information technology. In addition, all apprentices completing an Advanced Apprenticeship (level 3) will automatically, at no cost, take the coveted IMI ATA assessment at Service & Maintenance Technician level. Successful candidates will then receive this accolade thus demonstrating their individual competencies to the consumer and their employer.

Service & Maintenance Technician accreditation can then act as a spring board to Diagnostic Technician and then the ultimate honour of Master Technician.  

So far, we have had a steady stream of keen and hard working apprentices who have already embarked on the programme and are working towards their NVQ and key skills.

If you are a member and are considering employing an apprentice, please call the Alliance Autocentre National Apprenticeship Programme on 01743 762059 and we will answer any questions that you may have.