The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is calling on dealers to hire more apprentices. It has carried out research which shows that apprentices are good for business and deliver a significant financial return for employers.

It said that apprentices who start with no experience typically generate profit within 18 to 24 months. The research is the result of a two-year IMI project to assess the value of apprentices working for independent garages and franchised dealers of all sizes. Apprentices delivered the same return as an experienced technician by the third or fourth year.

IMI chief executive Steve Nash said: “Businesses must overcome their doubts about employing young people and invest in the future if our industry is to succeed as a whole.”

Key benefits

• Home-grown apprentice-trained technicians outperform market-recruited technicians.
• Growing your own technicians’ through apprenticeships reduces long-term recruitment and training costs.
• Apprentices learn company best practice and culture from the start – helping to ensure a better fit with the team and internal processes.

original story taken from motor trader http://www.motortrader.com/latest-news/imi-calls-dealers-recruit-apprentices/