Autotech Academy has helped place 200 interns as new technicians at dealerships over the last three years and there are 1,000 more students waiting in the wings to help address the industry’s skills gap.
The most recent graduates have completed the Autotech paid six to 12 month internship and the business is actively working with dealer groups to help meet their training and development goals.
According to the National Franchise Dealers Association (NFDA), 82% of dealers report technician roles as the most severely impacted by the skills shortage.
Autotech equips all interns with a “comprehensive tool kit” and uniform to prepare them to be ready for work within dealerships, including screening all potential interns to make sure they are prepared before walking into aftersales departments across the UK.
Currently more than 90% of interns are being offered permanent positions after completing the internship.
Toyota and its dealer network is working directly with Autotech to help develop new potential technicians, but the academy is also working with dealerships representing brands like BMW, Ford, Renault, Jaguar and Land Rover.
James Mackay, managing director of Autotech Academy, said: “Our internship initiative not only addresses the industry’s skills shortage but also provides dealerships with a reliable, risk-free way to grow their own talent.
“We have been delighted by the industry’s confidence in our approach, and have worked strategically with dealer groups, to customise our offering and meet their exact needs.
“While it’s great that 200 interns have been placed, there are still many newly qualified automotive students waiting for job opportunities and the industry cannot afford to lose them.”