LSH Auto has welcomed 20 new apprentices to its teams at dealerships in Stockport, Whitefield, Birmingham, Solihull and Tamworth.
The “Class of 2024” includes recruits enrolled in three-year apprenticeships as Light vehicle technicians, retail parts advisors, paint technicians, and mechanical, electrical, and trim (MET) technicians. Additionally, the new cohort features apprentices undertaking 18-month programs as customer service experts, star experts, and marketing executives.
Among the new apprentices is Danielle Reynolds, a Light Vehicle Technician Apprentice who previously worked as a dog walker. Inspired by her passion for cars, Danielle decided to apply for the Mercedes-Benz Apprenticeship.
She shared, “I’ve always enjoyed tinkering with cars and wanted to learn more about them. I also aspire to be a successful female in a male-dominated industry. The support I’ve received from LSH Auto has been amazing, and I’ve loved getting hands-on experience right from the start.”
Jack Davis, another light vehicle technician apprentice, initially planned to study mechanics in college but was drawn to the Mercedes-Benz apprenticeship after meeting the LSH Auto team at a school careers day. “
I’ve always been a fan of Mercedes-Benz, and an apprenticeship seemed like the perfect entry point,” Jack said. “From the moment I arrived for my induction, everyone made me feel like part of the Mercedes-Benz and LSH Auto family.”
Many of these apprenticeships are offered in collaboration with the Mercedes-Benz Academy in Milton Keynes, a state-of-the-art facility where experienced coaches and mentors provide training for all Mercedes-Benz apprentices in the UK retail network.
Out of more than 10,000 applications Mercedes-Benz receives annually from across the UK, only around 250 applicants are accepted. This year, LSH Auto has committed to supporting 27 of those places, with some positions still available.
Becky Pitt, talent acquisition specialist at LSH Auto, said: “Becoming an apprentice is a fantastic way to earn while you learn, gaining valuable real-world experience in your chosen career. We currently offer ten courses with NVQ Level 3 qualifications and have several apprenticeship positions available across our dealerships in Stockport, Macclesfield, Whitefield, Birmingham, Solihull, and Tamworth.”
The Stockport facility, which houses one of the UK’s largest body, paint & preparation centres, has also partnered with Bolton College to offer specialised apprenticeships for paint technicians, panel beaters, and MET technicians.
With this new intake, LSH Auto now has 74 apprentices working across its Mercedes-Benz dealerships in six locations.
Tracy Ellam, Operations Director for LSH Auto, said: “Having a strong apprentice intake each year is crucial for us, and investing in their development is a top priority. It’s especially gratifying to see more young women joining our business and watching all our apprentices grow over the years.”
