Sparshatt Truck & Van has opened applications to its apprenticeship scheme in Dartford, Sittingbourne, Ashford, and Tonbridge, starting in January 2023.
Sparshatt Truck & Van is a Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealership in Kent, servicing and maintaining Mercedes trucks and vans and supplying genuine Mercedes parts. It created the Sparshatt Training Academy to train apprentices and set them on a career path working on the worldwide brand Mercedes-Benz.
Investment scheme
The programme is part of a series of investments from Sparshatt Truck & Van, including a £200,000 van workshop at their Sittingbourne site, a £330,000 state-of-the-art Bodyshop, and a £2 million investment in its Dartford site.
The Sparshatt Truck and Van three-year apprenticeship scheme provides a Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance qualification, awarded by the IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry). After the third year, successful apprentices are trained to use their new skills in the workplace during an ‘Improver Year’.
While training, apprentices will work alongside a highly qualified Mercedes-Benz technician to learn to use the latest automotive technology with up-to-date tools and equipment. Apprentices will also benefit from interest-free loans to help fund tools and toolboxes, a health cashback plan with access to wellbeing support via Simply Health, and access to the cycle-to-work scheme. They are also entitled to 24 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, and have full access to the new in-house gym in the Dartford depot.
Career jumpstart
Harry Deverill, a former apprentice under the scheme and now a Trainee Group Technical Specialist, said: ‘I loved my time in the Sparshatt Training Academy. It helped kickstart my career as a Trainee Group Technical Specialist and gave me everything I needed to work in the sector.
‘It’s great being paid to learn, and the interest-free loans for tools are helpful when you’re just starting. Sparshatt does everything they can to help their apprentices, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to do this course.
‘I’d recommend the apprenticeship scheme to anyone considering going into mechanics. You get to work with a world-renowned company, which is a great way to jumpstart your career.’
Apprentice, Joey Savini, added: ‘I’m enjoying my time at Sparshatt Truck & Van. I’m learning so much, and I’m happy I took the opportunity to learn here.
‘It’s great to learn with Mercedes-Benz because it’s such a big international company. I know I’m learning from the best, and it’s giving me the best possible start to my career. I feel more confident about myself and my future having this course under my belt.
Improver year
While apprentices learn, they will be given a weekly wage of £175 for 40 hours per week. At the end of their three-year course, they will complete an end-point assessment. If successful, they will progress onto an ‘improver year’ to achieve the qualification for the Mercedes-Benz Maintenance level.
For January 2023, two opportunities are available in Dartford, two in Sittingbourne, one in Ashford, and one in Tonbridge.
How to apply
Applications are open to anyone over 17 years old with a grade C (or new grade 4) or above in GCSE English and Maths or an equivalent qualification. Successful candidates will show a mechanical aptitude, interest and enthusiasm for the commercial vehicle industry, an ability to work in an organised way with an eye for detail, and good communication skills.
For more information, visit https://www.sparshattgroup.com/careers/apprenticeships.
