Protyre News
Our Apprenticeship Scheme is Helping Young Technicians Accelerate Their Careers
By Julia Freeman
More than 50 young learners are on the road to becoming fully-fledged vehicle technicians thanks to our apprenticeship scheme.
We welcomed a record intake of 30 apprentices onto our apprenticeship scheme in 2025, taking the total number of learners recruited to 54 since autumn 2023.
Our apprentices are based at our garages across England, Scotland, and Wales, spending four days a week gaining practical experience in their local garage, where they ‘earn while they learn’. They spend one day a week at college, combining classroom and on-the-job learning to work towards a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship.
Once qualified as vehicle technicians, our apprentices can further their careers with us through management programmes or advanced training to become MOT testers, master technicians, and experts in other specialist areas of vehicle maintenance.
We’re proud to highlight the growth of our apprenticeship programme as part of National Apprenticeship Week (February 9-15).
Jake Lickorish, Protyre Autocare Apprenticeship Lead and Technical Trainer, said: “Our apprenticeship scheme is growing year-on-year and is a great way for us to recruit young talent.
“We have an ageing workforce nationally and a real need to promote employment opportunities for young people. This scheme gives our apprentices the chance to learn from the best and to forge a career for themselves in the automotive industry.
“The feedback from the colleges we’ve worked with has been really good – they’re all enjoying being part of the scheme and working with us, and they have commented on our superior support for our apprentices.
“We don’t just employ an apprentice, leave them in a centre and hope for the best – we ensure they are fully supported, both personally and professionally, for the entirety of the apprenticeship.”
We invite applications to our apprenticeship scheme and also work with colleges to find their ‘rising stars’, who are offered a two-day work trial in a local branch with a view to joining the scheme.
Learners enrolled on our apprenticeship scheme have their driving test funded by us and are presented with a fully kitted-out toolbox worth £1,000 once they pass their probation period.
Jack Bauer, 18, is an apprentice at our Taunton branch and attends Exeter College for his study day. He is supported at Protyre Taunton by Centre Manager Dave Livesey, a qualified Master Technician who is perfectly placed to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of technicians.
Jack, who lives in Exeter, said: “Five or six months ago, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do, but I joined the apprenticeship scheme and everything has gone so well.
“It’s a great way forward for me. Having a hands-on approach is the way I learn best, and I’m surrounded by like-minded people here. I think you pick things up more when you enjoy doing them, and I’m really enjoying the work.
“It’s a great working environment, I’m working with good people and it’s really helping me get to grips with everything.”
Find out more about our apprenticeship scheme.
