Apprenticeships are an important part of the automotive industry and allow for talented individuals to train with official manufacturers to become qualified and experienced in their field. At Dick Lovett, we invest heavily in Apprenticeships, as we believe they are one of the best ways to grow our team, and have Apprentices in Aftersales, Parts, Accounts, the workshop and the bodyshop.
This year, we are thrilled to announce that three of our BMW Apprentices have been recognised as ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the BMW Apprentice Awards Day 2024. Apprentices are nominated by their Career Programme Provider at the Academy for the awards, who take into consideration the quality of work, attitude and commitment to the programme.
Our Apprentices have excelled across various categories, and out of the five awards on the day, we were delighted that the Aftersales Paint, and Vehicle Technician ‘Apprentice of the Year’ awards were presented to Dick Lovett Apprentices. These awards highlight not only the skill and commitment of the Apprentices but also the supportive and nurturing environment fostered by their mentors, managers, trainers and CPA’s at the Academy.
Phil Monsell - National Training Manager, Technical and Apprenticeships from BMW Group UK, with Becky, Ewan, Jade and two fellow winners at the BMW Academy UK Apprentice Awards. Photo from BMW Academy UK.
Vehicle Technician Apprentice of the Year
BMW Bristol is one of our largest and busiest workshops, so we are thrilled to celebrate Becky’s achievement in winning the Vehicle Technician ‘Apprentice of the Year’. From her first day in the workshop, her manager at the time noticed a spark in Becky.
“Becky has continued to shine brightly every day since. She’s shone in the workshop and also at college and I am absolutely convinced that she’s got a great career with us going forward.”
Becky's role involves diagnosing and repairing a wide range of issues, ensuring that every vehicle is safe, reliable, and performing at its best. Her technical acumen, combined with her passion for the brand has made her a standout Apprentice, both at the training academy and in the workshop team. When asked what the best thing about working at Dick Lovett is, Becky said;
“The company's strong commitment to employee development and career progression. They are always willing to assist in leaning and development of your career in any way they can. I also enjoy that no day is the same and there’s always new challenges to face. The team I work with in are very supportive which creates a great working environment.”
Becky was also recently selected to join the BMW team at the British Touring Car Championship to be part of the pit crew on the day for the racing at Snetterton. Another testament to her fantastic drive and ambition!
Paint Apprentice of the Year
Our Bodyshop in Swindon specialises in accident repair and are committed to providing an excellent environment for Apprentices to learn in. Ewan is an excellent example of how supportive the Bodyshop team are, especially as he had to complete his qualification during the pandemic which added extra complications.
After picking up the award for Paint Technician ‘Apprentice of the Year’, we asked Ewan what the best thing about doing an Apprenticeship with BMW.
“You can really tell how much BMW invest into you, and believe in the apprenticeship scheme. The teaching, support and facilities are fantastic and you really feel that they are investing in your future. I have learnt skills that I will be able to use throughout my whole career and have also grown as an individual. In fact it has even encouraged me to buy my own BMW 4 series.”
This award is a testament to Ewan’s talent and meticulous attention to detail. Our Apprentices learn how to ensure every vehicle that leaves the Bodyshop is finished to the highest standards befitting of both the brand and the group.
On receiving this award, Ewan remarked, "The award is something that I am really proud of, the apprenticeship is a really thorough course…and I would have been proud to just pass to be given this award is something I never would have dreamed of.”
Aftersales Apprentice of the Year
After receiving a distinction in her end point assessment, Jade was nominated for the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award from her CPA at the Academy, and is already off to a flying start in her Aftersales career at Dick Lovett.
Jade has worked in both MINI and BMW Swindon and has used her experience on her Apprenticeship to move into a Warranty role.
“I am looking forward to expanding my brand knowledge and exploring different avenues within the Aftersales department…This will show me how all teams in the Aftersales department work together to ensure we provide outstanding customer service and meet targets. Eventually I would like to progress into a manager within the Aftersales department or have a role that supports the apprentices within the aftersales department.”
The Aftersales programme at BMW trains Apprentices to deliver high level of service while their car is with us, from routine maintenance, to addressing complex issues. Over her Apprenticeship, Jade has developed her knowledge of the BMW vehicles and brand as well as how to support customers, and says the sense of achievement and the support you receive while learning and settling into a new role, is the best thing about an Apprenticeship with BMW.
We are so proud of every one of our Apprentices who work hard in our dealerships to deliver great results for our brands and for Dick Lovett. Our managers, trainers and mentors all believe passionately in the programmes, and work hard to ensure that our Apprentices are fulfilling their potential. Many of our Apprentices are still with us today and we have managers and heads of business that started their careers as Apprentices.
- Find out more about Apprenticeships at Dick Lovett
We will continue to nurture talent and foster a culture of excellence in our Apprentices. By investing in their development and providing opportunities for growth, Dick Lovett ensures that its team members are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their careers.
Congratulations to Becky, Ewan and Jade for their outstanding achievements. Their hard work and commitment are an inspiration, and their success is a promising sign of the bright future ahead our talented team.