Decision details

To establish an additional Apprentice post within the Transport Team and recruit to the post.

Due to historic difficulties in recruiting into vacant posts for vehicle mechanics the decision was reached, 3 years ago, to train an apprentice within the team. The Apprentice has now qualified and has been offered an existing position within the service. The apprenticeship programme has worked exceptionally well and has cemented links with the local college.
The quality of applicants on this recruitment round is impressive with 18 suitable applicants being shortlisted from 39.
There is already a recruitment process underway to seek another apprentice. However, due to the age of existing mechanics and the likelihood of retirement in the future, a second apprentice post would add additional security to the business.
This request is supported by the principles outlined in the Talent Pipeline and provides succession planning within the workshop. The vacant Transport Assistant admin post would be used for 3 years to cover (CY027) the second apprentice role. It is anticipated that following 3 more successful years and producing 2 new mechanics that the service would revert to training 1 apprentice in future years.

Recruitment into HGV mechanic roles have proved difficult in recent month – leading to extended expenditure on agency mechanics. This option is expensive therefore training in house staff is a far more cost effective and proactive approach to filling potential future vacancies.