Apprentice is on track for bright career at dealership

A proud car dealership apprentice from South Staffordshire has been named as the Apprentice of the Year in a competition including entries from across the country.

Luke Preece, aged 17, joined Codsall-based Brindley Volvo as an apprentice in August 2010 after finishing his GCSEs at Cheslyn Hay High.

He is doing a three-year advanced apprenticeship which will see him graduate as a qualified vehicle technician. He has now been named the company's Young Apprentice of the Year and the First Year Service Technician Apprentice of the Year.

The awards are given to the apprentice who makes the most impact at the training centre in Daventry where they receive regular training.

Luke said: "I have been mad about cars for as long as I can remember so when I was offered the apprenticeship at Brindley's, it was a dream come true.

"Eventually I would like to progress to master technician level and pass on my experience to the next generation."

Apprentice programme manager Mark Ratcliffe said Luke's award was more than deserved.

"It's always tough to choose the apprentice of the year winners as the calibre of youngsters employed in the network is extremely high," he said. "We all agreed that Luke deserved the title because of his sheer dedication."

Volvo runs a series of apprenticeship programmes in a variety of roles, including parts operations, body repair, paint and refinishing and service advising.

The programmes give on-the-job training, with apprentices being employed by a franchised Volvo dealership and given training to work towards a Level 2 and 3 NVQ and a technical certificate in a chosen specialism.

As well as a nationally-recognised qualification, those who complete any of the programmes are guaranteed a job.