First foot on the Mitsubishi Motors training pathway

Ten trainee automotive technicians have embarked on the first term of Mitsubishi Motors UK’s four-year Advanced Modern Apprenticeship programme. The apprentices aged between 16 and 19, including Laura Underwood Mitsubishi’s first female applicant, will complete a combination of ‘on the job’ training and residential courses based from Mitsubishi’s head office in Gloucestershire. Around 120 students from across Great Britain have already successfully completed the programme since its creation in 2000.

Unlike most modern apprenticeship programmes, Mitsubishi Motors UK opens its doors to students aged 16 through to 25 years of age. To enhance the training environment no more than 12 students are enrolled per programme, in order to provide intensive one to one training. The four-year curriculum is split, with four two-week blocks of residential training taking place annually during the first three-years, followed by the fourth and final year based completely at the dealership.

On completion of the Mitsubishi Advanced Modern Apprenticeship students will have attained their BTEC National Certificate, NVQ3 qualification and Keyskills. In addition all apprentices complete three additional courses in 4-wheel alignment, air conditioning and alarm fitting for which they become Thatcham certified as part of their basic qualification.

"The first two weeks of training at head office give the students an introduction to automotive engineering and an insight into the technical aspects of Mitsubishi vehicles," said John Thomas, Mitsubishi Motors Apprentice Programmes Controller. "From here they will return back to their individual dealerships to put into practice what they have learned.

"Our apprentice retention level is in the higher quartile," added Thomas. "There is an enormous level of personal satisfaction observing the students during the four-year programme and seeing them develop into competent young individuals."

Mitsubishi Motors UK supports a three-tiered training pathway for all technical staff throughout the dealer network. By completing the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship, trainees will fast track to Technician level on the Mitsubishi training pathway. Providing the apprentice undertakes all of the courses on each stage of the training pathway it is possible for them to achieve the coveted Master Technician level after only two-years of completing their apprenticeship.