AutoRaise receives government recognition

AutoRaise has received official government commendation after the successful completion of its VDA apprenticeship standard.

Sir Gerry Berragan, chief executive at the Institute for Apprenticeships, congratulated AutoRaise on gaining approval for its standard and acknowledged the work its done to bring new, modern, fit-for-purpose apprenticeships into the sector.

Sir Gerry said in a letter, ‘I recognise the significant commitment and expertise required to develop an apprenticeship standard that meets the needs of employers, provides meaningful training and careers for apprentices and satisfies the apprenticeship requirements. In particular, I would like to thank you for your continued support for the development of apprenticeship standards. I am aware that this is the second standard the group have developed, having previously worked on the Accident Repair Technician apprenticeship.’

AutoRaise CEO Bob Linwood, added, ‘Our engagement channels with government and the education sector underpin our efforts to help repairers find young people to start an apprenticeship with them. With a growing number of technical apprenticeships now available, this can only be great news for everyone associated with vehicle repair sector. We spend the majority of our time in one-to-one discussions with repairers who are looking to address their own skills crisis.

‘We openly promote all of the available technical apprenticeships – and were delighted that the single skill apprenticeships were recently launched to provide more choice to employers – and it’s a point we are always keen to promote; we will help any repairer address their skills issues by helping them find young people, irrespective of the type of apprenticeship they want their learners to enrol on.’

Meanwhile, Bill Duffy, Rye Street Group managing director, said, ‘I’m not surprised that the Institute for Apprenticeships think so highly of AutoRaise. Their team have been instrumental in helping us find ways of bringing in new team members. As well as being the first-ever host of their Industry Showcase Events, we have continued to reap massive rewards from being involved.

‘Six of our new apprentices came from the AutoRaise Cadet programme, a brilliant initiative that keeps young people in full-time education engaged in our industry. I think they have done an incredible job with the education sector, especially in all of the schools in our area, where we have promoted the industry together at local Career Fairs.’