BRADFORD-based automotive retailer JCT600 is set to recruit at least another 40 apprentices to its business in 2020.

The family firm, which has run its own tailored training scheme for young people since 2013, currently employs more than 100 apprentices across its dealerships.

This year it will welcome another 40 brand apprentices in a variety of roles including apprentice technicians, parts advisers and service advisers.

With a turnover of almost £1.3 billion and a 2,300-strong team, JCT600 represents 24 of the world’s leading car marques. Named as one of the Sunday Times’ best companies to work for, it offers apprenticeships at most of its 52 dealerships throughout Yorkshire, the North East, the Humber, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Assessment days will be held throughout the year to give young people and their parents insight into JCT600, the variety of roles available and the way in which their training and future career will be supported.

Katie Saunders, HR director for JCT600, said: “Over the last six years, our apprenticeships have become increasingly popular and we’ve been able to attract large numbers of bright, enthusiastic young people into the automotive sector.

"With the scheme continuing to gather momentum, it’s also satisfying to see that the support we provide at college and at work has resulted in us being able to keep this talent within the business, with over 90% of our apprentices choosing to stay with JCT600 and develop their careers with us.

“We’re also seeing some of our automotive brands adopting a more flexible recruitment strategy with a 'rolling intake' which means that we are able to take on apprentices at different times throughout the year rather than having the main intake date of September. This adaptable policy is really benefitting candidates, giving them more flexibility about when they join us and enabling us to ensure we have in place the resources and support they need.”