John Clark Motor Group reveals Elite apprenticeship plan

Scotland-based dealership John Clark Motor Group is working with Elite Training and Consultancy to develop IT apprentices to support the group’s continued growth.

John Clark comprises 38 businesses, including five bodyshops, with an annual turnover of more than £914m and more than 1,300 colleagues, 127 of whom are apprentices.

Elite Training identifies suitable candidates and also carries out interview and pre-selection procedures.

Stewart Herd, group IT manager at the John Clark Motor Group, said: “We started working with them around two years ago and it has been a very positive experience. Elite is fully engaged with the process and provides a good matching service of candidate to role.

“Unlike some training providers, which seem more interested in numbers and ticking boxes, Elite works with the apprentices and tailors each individual’s programme not only around the role to which he or she aspires but also to future career ambitions.

“It means that, from day one, apprentices are given a proper role within the department –setting up systems, performing installations and going on site visits – which links them to the job and provides a valuable support role for the group.”

He continued: ““There is a huge skills gap in our industry and we have to grow our own talent. We work closely with our partners to ensure that we have a good mix of online learning, practical learning, classroom learning and practical assessments. Apprentices are the lifeblood of our future business. We are bringing young, fresh talent in and providing the opportunity of a lifelong career.”

Stephen McDade, operations manager at Elite Training and Consultancy, said: “Elite Training has been delivering IT solutions for the past 17 years and has a unique suite of in-house resources which allow it to create bespoke solutions for companies and organisations.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the John Clark Motor Group, which is prepared to commit time and resources to modern apprenticeships – a programme which lets people gain an industry-recognised qualification at the same time as they are earning a good wage.”