Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is piloting a nationwide internship programme providing practical experience to college graduates at van centres.
The scheme, launched in partnership with Autotech Academy, gives newly qualified automotive students a route into full-time employment within the industry and provides the next generation with a real-world opportunity to use the skills and knowledge they’ve learnt at college.
The 10 paid interns recruited in the class of 2021 are now in roles at Van Centres across the UK, shadowing experienced technicians to take their first steps in the automotive industry.
A further 20 Van Centres have registered a vacancy following the launch of the internship scheme, with plans to grow throughout 2022 as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles continues to develop the talent of tomorrow and help reduce the number of automotive college-leavers finding employment in other sectors.
Paul Anderson, national aftersales manager, said: “This new internship scheme adds another element beyond our existing apprenticeship scheme, supporting those at the end of their college education into work.
“By offering practical experience in paid employment to these interns, we are able to build a future pipeline that keeps talented technicians in the industry.”
The new programme is in addition to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ apprenticeship scheme, which offers training as a Service Technician, Parts Advisor and Service Advisor, using both practical and theoretical learning in the brand’s Van Centres, as well as at the Volkswagen Group’s National Learning Centre in Milton Keynes.
In 2021, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles inducted 34 apprentices into this wider scheme.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Van Life Matters newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest UK Van Life news, tips and advice.
