Hereford Volkswagen welcomes its first degree apprentice
Vertu Hereford Volkswagen has welcomed its first degree-level apprentice.
Lewis Drynda, 25, is training as an undergraduate service advisor at the Centurion Way-based dealership, while working towards a BA in Business Leadership & Management degree, in partnership with Northumbria University.
Previously, Lewis worked as a team leader in the retail industry. He applied for the degree apprenticeship as he has a passion for cars and has always had an ambition to pursue a career in the motor retail sector.
The degree-level apprenticeship programme offers talented young people the chance to gain a degree while earning a salary of £18,000 holding a full-time permanent role within the business. Vertu Motors plc, the Group which owns Bristol Street Motors, will fund £27,000-worth of tuition fees over the three and a half year course and the course is one of the first motor retail industry’s degree-level apprenticeships.
This year, a group of 13 people are starting the apprenticeships, an increase from the 10 students who started last year, who are now commencing their second year. Like Lewis, students will spend the majority of the course in roles at dealerships across the Vertu Motors group, with the prospect of future progression into managerial roles.
Lewis said: “I am really enjoying the degree apprenticeship and learning about the different components of cars in the service area has been fascinating. I have always been interested in cars so a career that enables me to combine my passion, with a degree and a job for a successful, reputable company is fantastic.”
Robert Forrester, chief executive officer of Vertu Motors plc, said: “The degree-level apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity to gain a respected degree, debt-free in a dynamic industry. The programme was hugely successful last year and we are thrilled to welcome our new intake.
“We are always keen to take on talented, enthusiastic people who fit with our values and our degree-level apprenticeship is not just something for school-leavers to consider. This year we have welcomed a strong mix of men and women of different ages, from a variety of backgrounds. I am excited to see how their careers progress over the next couple of years.”