
3NORTH EAST TRUCK & VAN |
BEST PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE
diesel counterparts and, with an ever-
growing network of refuelling stations
in the UK, are proving to be a viable
alternative to diesel fuel for operators.
Filling the skills gap
The service and repair of heavy
commercial vehicles is one of the areas
of greatest strength and reputation
for our business. This is a reflection
of the dedication and commitment
of our skilled, experienced and well-
trained team. We currently employ
75 technicians across our seven sites,
including two apprentices, and invest
roughly £250,000 annually in training
and development to ensure that our
team are kept up to date and equipped
with the knowledge they need to excel
in their role.
With each passing year, however,
our ability to recruit additional or
replacement technicians for our
workshops diminishes, not because
people do not want to work for us
in particular, but rather thanks to a
pervasive skills shortage. Simply put,
there are very few new individuals and
school leavers entering the industry.
Some suggest that this is because ours
is no longer an attractive industry to
work in. Arguably, in a time where
you have the ability to earn significant
sums of money through working in a
comfortable office with a computer,
the prospect of crawling under a truck
on an evening isn’t at first glance an
enticing one. Despite this perception,
however, ours is a varied, interesting
and rewarding industry to be
involved in. Additionally, the previous
government’s emphasis on pushing
school leavers through university as
opposed to vocational qualifications
has likely had a significant impact.
Attracting young people to
the industry
Historically, apprenticeships have been
the main route for youngsters entering
the industry, but in recent years the
number of apprentices has significantly
dwindled. The apprenticeship
levy serves as a way to promote
placements, but in an industry like
ours where apprenticeships are
commonplace it is largely irrelevant as
an incentive.
Moreover, the issue in our industry
is largely not that the apprenticeship
placements aren’t out there, but more
that there are not enough applicants
to fill them.
Without sufficient careers advice in
schools to educate school leavers as
to the varied opportunities out there,
and the many benefits of taking up an
apprenticeship in an industry like ours,
then we will not improve application
rates, and this is ultimately where the
challenge lies.
Both ourselves and the manufacturers
with whom we partner are looking
closely at how we can make our
apprenticeships more enticing through
incentive schemes and effective
marketing. If the same message is not
being promoted in schools, however,
then this will continue to be a difficult
obstacle to overcome.
Simply put,
there are very
few new
individuals and
school leavers
entering the
industry
“
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Iveco Stralis NP, Iveco’s
natural gas powered
tractor unit