Tuesday, 17 June 2008

Leicester Apprentice Wins National Award

A young Leicester apprentice is the toast of Bentley Motors after beating thousands of candidates across the UK to win a prestigious national award.

James Garratt has won the Institute of the Motor Industry’s outstanding technical student of the year award – the first time a Bentley apprentice has ever boasted such an honour. He wowed judges with an array of mechanical skills on a number of luxury cars at Bentley Leicester, where he has been working for more than three years. James, aged 19, picked up his trophy from His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent on Thursday in front of his proud mum and dad.

Only four apprentices across the country, representing a cross section of automotive brands,were shortlisted for the prize. Bentley Advanced Apprenticeship Manager Mike Husband said: “We have all been astounded by James’s progress since joining us. He has developed so much with us and already boasts a fabulous skill-set. The look on his parents’ faces was priceless. It was a great day for everyone and will live long in the memory. James’s work has been tremendous. James plays an integral role in the after sales team at Bentley Leicester who expect the highest levels of service for their customers. He is well respected by his colleague.”

James’s triumph is a fitting tribute to Bentley’s Dealer Apprentice Programme, which is an invaluable 3 year course for young people who aspire to work in the automotive industry. . Entrants are involved in all aspects of care and maintenance of Bentley cars Electronic diagnosis using the latest state-of-the-art equipment and techniques now forms part of everyday routine in a Bentley Dealership and was a key component in James’s success.

James said: “I’m so chuffed to have won this award. It’s a dream to work with such expensive, prestigious cars on a daily basis. It was a brilliant day and it was extra special having my family there with me as well as colleagues from Bentley Leicester who provide me with lots of support. It is great news for me, but also for the Bentley Academy and everyone I work with.”

Bentley Leicester, based in Watermead Business Park decided to reward James the following day with a trip to Switzerland to watch Euro 2008. After-sales manager Barry Hopkinson said: “He has been absolutely fantastic right form the word go. He takes everything on board and completes some extremely complex jobs on his own. He deserves the break in Switzerland. We hope he enjoys the football"

Anyone interested in applying for Bentley’s Dealer Apprentice Programme should click on www.bentleymotors.com before sending a covering letter and a copy of their C.V. to mike.husband@bentley-apprenticeships.co.uk. For further information on Bentley Leicester please log on to: www.bentleyleicester.co.uk or call 0116 2601111.