Pictured above: (l-r) Keigan, Sam, James, group operations
manager Paul Booth and Natalie
Toyota car dealer Ron Brooks has taken on four apprentices,
bucking the trend in the current challenging economic climate when
workers are worried about their jobs.
The company has taken on three apprentices at its headquarters
in Derby Road, Ilkeston, and one at its Mansfield premises in Oak
Tree Lane.
At Ilkeston two people have been taken on under the Toyota
Apprenticeship Scheme - 18-year-old Sam Tatler, from West Hallam,
as an apprentice technician and 16-year-old James Pyatt from
Strelley as an apprentice parts adviser
Completing the young line-up there is 18-year-old Natalie Beck
from Heanor, an administrative apprentice who will be studying at
Babington Business College in Charnwood Street, Derby.
Sixteen-year-old Keigan Gilliatt from Mansfield has become an
apprentice technician under the Toyota scheme at the firm's
premises in the town.
This is the second successive year that the company has taken on
four apprentices in such roles at the two centres.
The current eight apprentices make up 10 per cent of the
company's employees. There are 81 employees - 47 at Ilkeston and 34
at Mansfield.
Three Toyota technician apprentices the company took in 2005
have achieved five years service this year, and the three that made
up the intake in 2006 will achieve this early next year.
As well as taking on apprentices the company has had a tradition
over the years of working with local schools to offer hope to
youngsters looking for a career in the motor industry.
It has worked with three schools in the Ilkeston area and three
in the Mansfield area to offer work experience to pupils.
This year 13 pupils visited the company for work experience
and already eight places have been booked for 2011.
Kevin Slack, managing director of Ron Brooks, commented: "It is
always important to continue to develop and train the workforce so
it is fit for purpose in the future.
"Here at Ron Brooks we are so fortunate to have the
industry-leading Toyota Training Centre based locally in
Nottingham, where the apprentices attend to gain knowledge on all
the latest Toyota technologies."