LKQ Young Talent Programme unveiled to attract skills
LKQ Euro Car Parts has unveiled the LKQ Young Talent Programme to help independent repairers recruit and retain new talent.
The initiative, which is being delivered with the support of Apprenticeship Central, aims to reduce the stress of finding the right candidate and then support both employer and apprentice through the apprenticeship journey.
Apprenticeship Central identifies suitable candidates who then take part in an LKQ Academy ‘bootcamp’ to prepare them for joining a workshop environment. Both employer and apprentice then benefit from ongoing support throughout the apprenticeship, including progress reviews, continued development and networking opportunities with other apprentices.
The LKQ Young Talent Programme, which is designed to sit alongside formal apprenticeship training rather than replace it, is open to all automotive businesses in UK and Ireland. Apprentices are also invited to register their interest.
Key challenge
Matt Robinson, B2B director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: “It’s clear that the key challenge in delivering apprenticeship programmes is not a lack of willingness from employers, but concerns over their ability to manage the process alongside day-to-day operations.
“This programme tackles those issues head-on, ensuring apprentices are better prepared before day one and have the right support once they’re in the business, allowing both the technician and the apprentice to spend more time on the garage floor.”
Skills shortage
Eleanor Baker Barnes, commercial director at Apprenticeship Central, said: “The impact of the ongoing skills shortage on the automotive aftermarket is well documented. The Young Talent Programme is about taking a practical, industry-led approach to tackling this by helping workshops build a reliable pipeline of future technicians.
“It also gives apprentices the right start and support they need to succeed long term. This works not only for the individual businesses but is essential for the health of the sector as a whole. Working with LKQ allows us to deliver this at scale, while keeping employers firmly in control of their apprenticeship journey.”
