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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

10th May 2007, Page 46
10th May 2007
Page 46
Page 47
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Page 46, 10th May 2007 — TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The big truck manufacturers currently have little trouble finding apprentice technicians, but with application levels falling across the board, is this set to change?

Tim Maughan found out more at the CV Show.

Many operators find it difficult to attract and retain decent mechanics, but manufacturers do not seem to have the same problem — apprentice quotas are being met at all seven leading firms.

Scania

"We've always been able to recruit good quality apprentices," saysTony Tomsett, UK general manager at Scania. However, he recognises that it is not enough to sit back and wait for the right candidates to come along: "We're very proactive in attracting people; we attend the exhibitions, and the dealers also spread the word. Every year.we take on between 50 and 65 apprentices:The education is delivered over three years, with block release."

By the end of the third year personnel are considered qualified, but they are still in training for an extra year. "The fourth year is about honing skills," he explains. "When this is done, they are seen as experienced."

The Scania Apprentice Programme is based at Loughbmough; graduates go on to work directly for Scania.as well as for dealerships. In addition to attending shows, the Swedish manufact urer recognises that its very name can pull in fresh bloocl."We find word of mouth is very powerful," saysTomsett.

MAN

John Davies and David Cussans outline apprentice recruitment and training at MAN-ERF UK."We have 69 workshops in the UK. and employ in the order of 1,200 technicians UKwide," says Cussans, who is UK sales and marketing director 200 apprentices are in training at any time. As at Scania, students complete three years of block-release tuition with a fourth year to hone their skills. Recruits are usually aged between 17 and 20.

"We have a residential training college in Bristol.: says Davies, who is head of UK service."We're looking for people with an aptitude for anything mechanical."

The number of young people applying to be fitters at MAN-ERF has been falling, although this situation is industry-wide.

The company is still able to fill all its apprentice vacancies. hut Cussans says it is vital that "hearts and minds" are won if Britain is to have sufficient LGV technicians in the future.That means projecting the right image, for the industry— not just to potential apprentices but also to their parents.

Becoming an apprentice is a career move for recruits,not simply a job.As an alternative to the technician programme, students can take the four-year 'part apprentice' programme; MAN personnel can also study in-house business courses. Mercedes-Benz David Dyer, technical career specialist at Mercedes-Benz, reports that apprentice numbers are increasing. "We place an emphasis on the three-pointed star," he says. "It's a big draw for youngsters."

The German firm currently has 320 apprentices. Its training base is in Six Hills, Leics, but in September it will transfer to a new site in Derby.

The Mercedes-Benz Competence Training Programme sets us apart from the competition: Dyer claims."There are six training areas: chassis, servicing, vehicle inspection, and powertrain, driveline, and body and electrical units." Teaching is spread over three years, again followed by a fourth year of skills development."By the end of the fifth year, we expect mechanics to he 100%." he adds. Inevitably, some young people change their minds after joining up-the retention rate for trainees stands at 78%. But long-term figures are higher, and 82% of the fresh recruits of 1997, who qualified in 2001,are still with the firm.

Ivan

A short stroll from the Mercedes-Benz stand in Hal15, and we're with Iveco. The Italian manufacturer trains its UK apprentices at two sites. Specialist technical tuition takes place in Winsford. Cheshire, with CV maintenance expertise being imparted at Stoke-on-Trent College.

Sales and marketing manager Mark Thompson reports that at any one time 120 technical apprentices are in training. Commenting on retention, he points out that a fair proportion of fitters-who generally have C+E driving licences -leave theirjobs."They can earn more money driving trucks," he remarks.

Thompson agrees with Scan ia's Tomsett that it is important to promote technical apprenticeships through advertising and the dealer network. When people are at school, they want to be bank managers, not truck mechanics," he smiles. Spannering has never been seen as a glamorous industry, although this perception doesn't take into account the modern workshop.

Andrew Roberts, an advanced lecturer from the Motor Industry Skills Consortium, says that unlike the car sector, LGV manufacturers take on a relatively small pool of apprentices. The focus is on quality, not quantity. -The people are usually of the highest calibre," he says.Thompson reminds us that, unlike most ears, trucks are business tools,so it is paramount for operators to get them on the road ASAP For this reason, manufacturers need to ensure apprentices are up to the job.

Daf

Staying in Hall 5, we move on to see Daf s marketing director,Tony Pain. Seven years ago the firm's market share of the market over six tonnes was 24%; today it is 32% This success story has boosted demand for apprenticesat any time one time 350 of them are passing through the training programme at the City of Bristol College.

Dealers pay to put their people through the course.The Bristol site is responsible for general training; in-depth tuition is handled at the firm'sThaine, Oxon HQ.

Daf seeks to foster a sense of loyalty.The mechanic, says Pain, is often the unsung hero of the transport sector; the Hero Programme seeks to redress this by giving dedicated staff rewards such as paid-for holidays to Grand Prix races." It is very difficult to make the truck market look sexy," he admits,"but as manufacturers we have a duty to push things, and make people feel they belong."

Renault

Next on our itinerary is Renault. In Hall 2 we meet the firm's training manager. Brian Burns. "We are the only manufacturer that does a Technical Certificate Level 4," he says. At this level students are trained in skills such as customer service."There is also a heavy focus on diagnostics and electronics," he adds.

Training takes place at Renault's site in Dunstable. Beds. Shane West. training co-ordinator for the apprenticeship programme, reports:"We don't have a problem finding youngsters.That said, some do join the company only to find the job is not for them. "Some of them are blinkered," says West. "Trucks are difficult to work on, but they think it's easy we have a drop out rate of 7%."

Renault also runs courses in service advising, auto electrics, parts and sales.

Volvo

After a quick ice-cold drink at the CM stand we're off to meet our seventh, and last, truck manufacturer.

Andy Walker is Volvo's technical training manager. As we speak,210 apprentice technicians are working their way through the firm's three-year training.Tuition is conducted at Stephenson College in Coa lvill e, Leics.

Walker explains that while there are sufficient numbers of applicants,-the calibre is not always as good as it should be. Sometimes numeracy and literacy skills are lacking." This does not necessarily pose a problem if students show drive and an affinity with truck mechanics,Volvo personnel will assist them with the core skills.

As we heard from Mercedes-Benz, retention rates for qualified mechanics are encouraging."Only 15% of apprentices that started in 1994 have left, so dealers know it is a good investment for them," he remarks.

Drop-out rates for sponsored apprentices remain low across the boardbut Walker says 30% of trainee mechanics who put themselves through training leave before they qualify.

IRTE

Our NEC journey ends at the Institute of Road Transport Engineers stand, where a young fitter is about to be presented with a f:700 voucher for Snap-on tools.

After a day bending manufacturers' ears about apprentices, this feel like the right place to conclude our survey of the apprenticeship schemes.

The recipient of the voucher is 20-year-old Ian Smith, a fitter at the Exeter branch of MAN dealer SA Trucks. To win the prize, he had to perform tasks such as stripping and rebuilding parts of an engine, and diagnosing faulty axles.The presentation is significant because it is a celebration of new mechanical talent coming through.

Smith, who has been fully qualified since last September, has no intention of dropping out. "I shall he in this trade forever:lie smiles.•


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