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Autofit Apprenticeships

National Tyres and Autocare is the UK’s largest independent tyre and autocare specialist – supplying everything from tyres to MOT’s. We supply and fit tyres to cars and motorcycles as well as offering a specialist service in fitting exhausts, brakes, batteries, suspension and MOT testing.

The Foundation Modern Apprenticeship programme is designed for recent school leavers who expect to gain at least three GCSEs, including Maths and English. During the programme, we’ll develop your aptitude for working with cars into a career.

One of our current apprentices, Laura Sterling, tells us a little about the scheme:

When I first started with National Tyres and Autocare I wasn’t sure what to expect, I was anxious of the employees within my branch and wasn’t sure if I would get on well in my Branch because I am female.

My assessor Steve Linton made me feel welcome and on arriving in my branch I was made to feel part of a team and accepted. I expected the Apprentice Scheme with National Tyres to greatly improve my knowledge and give me hands on experience that I had not got from college or school.  Steve Linton is very knowledgeable, and at the training courses that six of us travel to in Gloucester, he always has the time to help you if you are unsure.

When six apprentices started at Gloucester in July 2004 we all got given a gigantic folder (Portfolio) that we were to work on throughout our apprenticeship.  At first it seems daunting but actually with the commitment of yourself and the help of your assessor’s and branch members you get through it very easily. If there are weak areas that you are unsure of there is always someone willing to help you.

I am nearing the end of my second year with National Tyres and I have benefited greatly from the courses.  Already I have attended most fitting courses and feel myself improving all of the time. I travel to courses from Milton Keynes to Gloucester, mostly every six weeks for one week.  Travelling costs are paid for and the meals and hotel are a pleasure.  At the course I have a full range of equipment to use and computers at the training centre allows me to professionalise the work that I do in my portfolio, such as reports and plans.
I am very proud of my portfolio as I enjoy doing it well.  I enjoy the sales element within my work, I talk to customers and sell them parts that they need.  Being on the Apprentice Scheme gives me a sense of achievement, I feel happy when I’m doing well and therefore my confidence has risen.

The Apprentice Scheme with National Tyres and Autocare I believe is a success as there are so many more children that leave school with no direction or are not sure how to approach work in a tyre centre.  I enjoy working within my branch, then in six weeks’ time seeing the lads from my training course. We all get on well and learn a lot from our courses.  Handouts are always given out for us to take back as, sometimes a lot of information can be a little bit difficult to take in all at once. These handouts enable us to read back over bits that we did not quite grab at the course. I enjoy the sales and hands on side to work and the extensive report writing at the courses for my portfolio. I think that I am doing well and I feel happy within my work. I think I am more knowledgeable from when I first started.  I have just taken my City and Guilds Brakes fitting skills test and I would like to progress my career to be a Branch Manager or even a Regional Manager one day!!

To conclude – the National Tyres Apprentice Scheme will boost your confidence and improve your knowledge. There is a great sense of achievement and belonging with National Tyres.