Both current and previous apprentices have gone on to become pivotal to the success of The Vella Group and have helped us grow to where we are today. In fact, 15% of our current workforce are apprentices.
The Vella Group believes that our employees are the most important assets of our business. Don't just take our word for it - take a look at what some of our apprentices have to say about their experience with us.
I chose the Multi-Skill Apprenticeship as I had a already had a great interest in working with cars. I came across the advert on the internet and thought this would be a great opportunity for me to get what I wanted out of career.
A typical day in work consists of arriving on time in the morning, finding out what jobs need doing/what jobs need to go out that day and do our best to get the work out. I will work with the painters, panel and MET technicians and depending on who I am working with that day, it will determine the type of work I will undertake.
The team I work with is very friendly and easy to get on with. I work closely with Mark, Jeffrey, Lee and Russell at Chester who are all my mentors depending on what side of the workshop I'm working within.
The most valuable skill I have gained in work is how to repair and paint cars to the best standard and how to work within a team.
I'm most proud that I can now complete jobs from start to finish, strip jobs and repair damage, as well as paint jobs all on my own without assistance from my mentor.
The only advice I would give to new apprentices is to enjoy what they do, to get stuck in, and work hard to achieve the things they want in life.
In 10 years time, I see myself being a Senior Paint or Panel Technician. From there, I want to work up the ladder or start my own repair business.
I was a gamekeeper before I joined The Vella Group but I was looking to do something completely different and new to me.
I will often do some painting, polishing and small repair work.
I work closely with the Paint team as I spend a lot of my time on that side of the workshop.
Learning how to work within a team.
My biggest achievement is that I am able to do big paint jobs since I never touched a spray gun before I started with The Vella Group.
I make sure to get stuck in and give plenty of effort because if you don't look interested or are not willing to learn from others they won't want to teach you (you need a good attitude to learn new things!).
I see myself having my own small business.