FIRST LINE INVESTS IN PEOPLE

Apprenticeships Form Part Of The Future

First Line, the Banbury-based distributor of matching original equipment replacement products, has again showed its commitment to the future and to the local community, by introducing a number of apprenticeship schemes into its employment policy.

Although the traditional apprenticeship has been side-lined by successive governments over several years, the current coalition has been much more in favour of apprenticeships as a common-sense way of giving young people practical skills that are valued in the workplace.

As well as recruiting skilled professionals with the specialist aftermarket experience it needs for many of the key roles in its organisation, First Line has also been an active employer in its local area for more than 30 years. Therefore, it has responded positively to the opportunities that the renewed government interest in apprenticeship training provides and has already taken on several apprentices as part of a new initiative.

Dan Joyner, First Line’s managing director said: “We are working closely with our local college to provide a scheme to support those just entering the workplace and with the ultimate goal being to help develop the next generation of professionals in whatever field they finally settle.

“So far we have introduced five apprenticeship positions, one in marketing, one in our IT department and three in product management. The length of the apprenticeship is a year, and although we obviously cannot commit to employ every apprentice we introduce on the scheme, we will certainly do our best to cater for those that prove to be willing and able, and we believe that at least one of our initial intake could end up being offered a fulltime position.

“We look at this scheme as a way of giving young people experience rather than taking it and would recommend that other businesses in the aftermarket also adopt a similar policy, which will contribute to the sustainability of the aftermarket in the UK that we all rely on.”

For more information regarding the apprenticeship scheme, please call the First Line on: 01869 248484 or visit: www.firstline.co.uk

ENDS

For further information relating to this press material, please contact Steve Coombes on: 01753 785957 or e-mail: steve@chicanemarketing.co.uk

Chicane is an established PR agency with a particular specialism in the automotive aftermarket and the motorsport industry.
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