Apprenticeships

If you are looking to start a career in the motor industry you have come to the right place. Below you will find more information on what an apprenticeship with Northside Truck and Van looks like;

Apprenticeships with Northside

Do you have the drive to work on and with vehicles at the cutting edge of vehicle design? Do you want to earn while you learn?

Start your career in the commercial vehicle industry and earn while gaining a nationally recognised industry standard IMI qualification in our IRTE accredited workshops at one of our seven Mercedes-Benz dealerships.

On completion you could become a fully qualified HGV technician or you could also become an IMI qualified Parts Process Specialist or Service Advisor. This is in an industry where someone with these skills and qualification are valued.


Working week​

Monday to Friday – working 8am – 5pm


Expected duration

Minimum 1 year and 1 day, Maximum 3 years. Currently we have apprentice technicians who will be looking at taking there EPA [End Point Assessment] two years and six months after starting their apprenticeship.

Recruitment process

The recruitment process is a three-stage process;

1] The first stage is a formal interview with the General Manager at the site you applied for along with the Group Aftersales Training Manager. This formal interview also includes an aptitude test.

2] The successful applicants will be invited back for the second stage. The second stage will involve two days’ work experience in the workshop working alongside one of our skilled technicians for apprentice technicians. One days’ work experience in the Parts department working alongside one of our skilled parts specialists for apprentice parts person. One days’ work experience working alongside one of our knowledgeable customer care specialists.

*The reason behind this work experience is to give any potential apprentice a real idea of what their day-to-day work life would involve during their apprenticeship. It also gives us at Northside a better idea of what that person would be like as an apprentice*

3]After the second stage successful applicants will then have a final formal interview, maths & English test will our training partner Doncaster GTA. Because GTA play a huge role in training & developing our apprentices they have to be happy with the potential apprentices we are looking at recruiting. Our apprenticeships are a three-way commitment between Northside, Doncaster GTA and the apprentice.  


Possible start date

We operate a rolling recruitment with start dates throughout the year as advertised on our website and also the government apprenticeship website.


Apprenticeship level

Level 3


Positions

Each year we have apprenticeship opportunities available throughout our seven main depots across Yorkshire. 

What will you be doing as an apprentice?

As an Apprentice Technician, you will work on a range of Mercedes Benz, Maxus and IA commercial vehicles. Working alongside our dedicated and highly qualified Mercedes-Benz and Maxus trained technicians. Throughout your apprenticeship, you will learn how to work safely within a heavy vehicle workshop, which will mean that you will:

· Learn how to correctly service, maintain and repair HGVs.
· Learn what specialist tools and equipment should be used.
· Learn how to prepare and pass HGVs for MOT.
· Understand the needs and expectations of our customers.

After your apprenticeship and Northside’s commitment to training you will become a technician who is qualified with the skills and knowledge to work on some of the most technologically advanced Vans, Trucks and Coaches on the road.

As an Apprentice Parts Person, you will develop the skills, knowledge and teamwork to be able to source the correct parts needed to keep these technologically advanced Vans, Trucks and Coaches on the road. You will be responsible for arranging the logistics to get these parts to where they are needed, whether that be to one of our skilled technicians or in to our customers workshops.

As an Apprentice Customer Care Specialist, you will be the link between our workshops and our customers. You will often be the first point of contact between our valued customers and our workshops to arrange routine servicing and vehicle inspections as well as repairs. You will need to be professional at all times to deliver what our customers expect from the brand and Northside. 


Details of apprenticeship training and qualifications

As an apprentice heavy goods vehicle technician, you will be working towards a Level 3 IMI in Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance. To help you succeed, you will receive on-the-job training at your relevant workshop in addition to attending the GTA Training in Doncaster one day per week. Because of our really close working relationship with our training provider, GTA, we can make sure your workshop mentors are kept up-to-date with your progress. We offer support throughout to ensure you receive the best all round learning experience, always striving to meet your needs.

Both Parts Process Specialist and Customer Care Specialist apprentices will be work towards initially the IMI Level 2 Diploma in customer service. Level 2 will give the apprentice the skills to take on responsibilities and carry out duties such as dealing with calls from customers and resolving problems. Once Level 2 is complete there could be the option to move on to the Level 3 qualification which has been designed to reflect the five customer service themes (Foundations, Impression & Image, Delivery, Handling Problems and Development & Improvement) and meets the technical certificate requirement for the Customer Service Advanced Apprenticeship. Throughout your apprenticeship you will have a workplace mentor to offer support throughout to ensure you receive the best all round learning experience, always striving to meet your needs.


Expected career progression after this apprenticeship

Following completion of your apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified heavy vehicle technician, Parts Process Specialist or Customer Care Specialist with a vast set of skills that will enable you to have a career within the automotive industry. There will always be opportunities for you to develop and progress whilst working for Northside Truck & Van. Technicians will have training plans set so you continue to learn as you progress through the Mercedes-Benz technician pathway from maintenance to diagnostic level along with qualifications to work on high-voltage electric vehicles. Parts Process Specialist & Customer Care Specialists will work toward the Mercedes Benz C-Parts or C-Service qualifications.

Required skills and personal qualities for potential apprentices

. Communication skills
· Attention to detail
· Organisation skills
· Problem solving skills
· Team working
· A willingness to learn, progress and be the very best

. Physical fitness [Apprentice HGV Technicians]


Minimum qualifications needed

· GCSE or equivalent English (Grade A – C (9 – 4)
· GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade A – C (9 – 4)


About Northside Truck & Van

Northside Truck & Van has been synonymous with Mercedes-Benz in Yorkshire for over 40 years. Northside Truck & Van operate seven well-established Sales, Service and Parts departments at sites across Yorkshire, employing over 400 people. We value every member of staff at Northside Truck & Van. We aim to retain people with continual support and training plans along with all the other great benefits of work for Northside Truck & Van. There is always opportunity for your career to progress at Northside Truck & Van and it’s the training and progression of talented people who make the business the success it is today.


Northside Truck & Van training partner

GTA Doncaster in partnership with Northside Truck & Van to provide our training needs. Group Training Association (GTA) are an independent training provider based in Doncaster and Sheffield.

Since 1972 businesses across the UK have made us their chosen training provider to deliver apprenticeships for their employees.


Apprenticeship standards

Technicians; IMI Heavy vehicle service and maintenance technician
Level 3

Full-time, Apprenticeship

Parts Process Specialist and/or Customer Care Specialist; IMI Level 2 Diploma in customer service and/or IMI Level 3 Diploma in customer service.

Full-time, Apprenticeship