Lookers recognised as a Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer

Lookers has become the only national motor retailer in the UK to be entered into a prestigious list of the country’s top 100 companies employing apprentices.

The list was announced at the National Apprenticeship Awards, which took place on 18 January at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, and recognises excellence in businesses that employ apprentices.

After a tough selection process, the most exceptional apprenticeship employers from all of the National Apprenticeship Awards employer categories went forward to feature in the list, which showcases the breadth of employers who now offer apprenticeships as part of their recruitment strategies.

The inclusion of Lookers comes at a time when our apprenticeship programme is attracting increased attention from those looking to forge a career in the motor industry, with its intake more than doubling from 78 to 162 last year.

Lookers, which operates from 157 franchised motor retail outlets across the UK, has also tasked itself with encouraging more women into the motor industry and last year welcomed seven female technical apprentices onto its programme.

Commenting on the company’s new title as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer, Steve Maule, Group Head of Qualifications at Lookers, said: “We are very proud to be named in this prestigious list and to be rubbing shoulders with some of the best apprenticeship employers in the country. We’ve worked extremely hard to develop our programme into one that works both for our apprentices, as well as one that covers all of the essential skills that are so critical to the future of motor retail, repair and maintenance.”

Lookers is also utilising the support of other training organisation to improve its apprenticeship programme further and recently became a Silver partner of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list 2017 demonstrates clearly the impact apprentices can have on an organisation. Apprentice employers are creating opportunities for individuals to gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed, up to degree level, while working and earning."

“These Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers are making a difference to the lives of their apprentices by investing in their future. In return, apprentices are helping employers to develop a skilled, qualified workforce to build a stronger economy."

“I hope the success of these Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers will mean more businesses across England aspire to follow their example and to find out for themselves how apprenticeships help to grow a skilled and highly qualified workforce.”


To view the full Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer List, please visit GOV.UK