New mechanic apprenticeship aims to plug skills gap

The three-and-a-half year advanced apprenticeship will provide a mix of in-house transport workshop experience with classroom learning and is being provided in association with external industry trainers.

As well as working alongside experienced qualified mechanics, apprentices will have periods of study at technical colleges, ultimately working to achieve a Level 3 Qualification in Light Vehicle Mechanics.

NGED, which manages the electricity distribution network in the South West, South Wales and the Midlands, is looking to recruit apprentices to be based in Bodmin, Cwmbran, Gloucester, Lincoln and Pontypridd.

Alun Hurst, NGED Transport Manager, said: “Our new National Grid Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme will provide opportunities across the regions we serve for people with the ambition to be a vehicle mechanic.

“Recruits to our bespoke training programme will be working with one of the largest fleets in the UK and also one of the most diverse. The skills they develop with NGED will set them up for a life-long career in the transport industry.”

NGED has 33 transport workshops across its regions and supports an industry-leading volume of electric vehicles, as well as a wide variety of other transport such as cranes, loaders, HGVs and trailers.

The apprenticeship scheme launch comes as the transport sector faces record vacancy rates for mechanics, according to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). Its data shows there are more than 23,000 vacancies, equivalent to 4% of the workforce.

The skills gap has developed due to a lack of industry investment in training, an ageing workforce and experienced mechanics transitioning into roles such as driving HGVs.

The IMI predicts that by 2032 there will be a shortfall of 16,000 vehicle mechanics holding the qualifications required to safely work on electric vehicles.

Alun added: “The launch of this advanced apprenticeship will boost our workforce resilience at a time when there is likely to be external market turbulence, while also providing first-class career opportunities for people.”

NGED’s mechanic apprentices are being recruited now and will start their training in September.

Details of the vacancies are available here: Vehicle Mechanic Advanced Apprentice - National Grid Jobs