The very first group of apprentices have graduated from the Bosch Service Training Centre in Uxbridge. They become the first recruits to complete the Bosch Automotive apprentice programme which was established to coincide with the 100-year milestone of Robert Bosch taking on his first apprentice.

The first eight apprentices have been gaining crucial expertise at Bosch’s Service Training Centre (STC) while working at their local independent Bosch Car Service garage. Over the last three years the scheme has continued to enrol more and more apprentices each year and this September will mark the fourth year it has been operating, with Bosch currently recruiting for its largest intake yet.

The scheme offers great opportunities for young technicians and has the long-term goal to offer garages a quality apprentice programme they can rely on, helping them future-proof their skill sets. The apprenticeship scheme provides the Bosch Car Service garage with the added value of an apprentice being trained by Bosch on Bosch equipment, with a full induction, mentoring and monitoring structure providing feedback and guidance for both apprentices and their employers.

Frazer Currall, apprentice at Bond Street Car Service said of the scheme, “The past three years have been challenging but fun. I’ve learnt more than just being an automotive technician, I’ve learnt new skills for life. It was all made possible by some great tutors.”

The scheme allows the apprentices to benefit from both practical and theoretical training while earning a living, providing a good balance of on-the-job experience and technical training. Now at the end of three years the apprentices have learnt the necessary skills to complete their level two and level three VRQ and VCQ, and their IMI accreditation.

At a ceremony celebrating the end of their time with Bosch, each was given a certificate, personalised pen and an OBD 100, a handy, pocket-sized diagnostic tool for fault reading.

Alex Gibson, Apprentice Trainer/Assessor at Bosch said, “We are incredibly proud of our apprentices and how much they have learned and improved over the past three years. It is sad to see them move on but we know they will carry their knowledge with them as they continue in their careers.”