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Toyota use Motor Finance Specialist apprenticeship to develop the next generation

Toyota use Motor Finance Specialist apprenticeship to develop the next generation

A year after the launch of the Motor Finance Specialist apprenticeship and as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2019 - Toyota Financial Services explain why they started employing motor finance apprentices and the business benefits this has brought to their business.

Toyota Financial Services has helped hundreds of thousands of Toyota and Lexus customers drive the vehicle of their dreams. Its team of 240 people at offices near Epsom and across the UK have, over the decades, established strong relationships with customers and dealers, inspiring its staff to strive for quality, convenience, and consistency.

The responses below have been provided by Karen Harris, Training and Development Specialist at Toyota Financial Services.

Why did Toyota Financial Services start employing Motor Finance Specialist apprentices?

We were looking to invest in developing our next generation of Motor Finance Specialists, working across our Operations Division. Apprenticeships  would enable TFS to attract new people to the organisation, develop their relevent skills and knowledge to support the UK Operations departments succession and development plans.

What benefits has the apprenticeship brought to your business?

Our apprentices have given us the flexibility to place them in operational departments where they can asist with a wide variety of tasks. They have an ability to learn new skills quickly and have a  positive can do attitude, which really brings a breath of fresh air into the work place. They have also allowed their business mentors to gain experience which adds to their management development.

How does your apprenticeship programme work and what training is provided?

Our apprenticeship is an 18 month programme starting with a one month induction into the business followed by 4 x 4 month rotational placements within Operations. There are 3 rotation placements within New Business, Customer Experience and Operations Support. The 4th placement, during months 14 – 17 will be within an area most suited to our mutual needs and our apprentices will also complete their End Point Assessment.

As well as the on the job training the apprentces are given one day per week to work on their course work. They will be invited to a number of TFS training courses throughout their apprenticeship.

Are apprenticeships part of wider recruitment/careers/training activity?

We feel Apprenticeships will give us the opportunity to strengthen and diversify our workforce and provide a pipeline tailored to the business.  Most of the training is on the job, learning role specific skills.  With the expansion of higher and degree apprenticeships we are able to access the higher level technical skills vital to our business performance and growth.

Are you looking to employ more motor finance specialist apprentices in future?

We have a number of apprenticeships running within our business at this time and are continually looking at how and where apprentices would fit into our business. We will review future employment of motor finance specialists in line with the business requirements.

You can read more about Toyota's motor finance specialist apprentices by clicking on their names below:

Aiden Howell

Joe Brighten