What is it like to be a Kwik Fit apprentice?

Kwik Fit is on the look out for new apprentices. Successful applicants are given the opportunity to develop their skills and receive recognised training, providing the perfect springboard for a successful career in the motor industry.

We recently caught up with Emma Bromwich who was a successful candidate back in 2012. Now in her final year, Emma tells us all about the last two years as an apprentice at Kwik Fit.

On a bright morning at our centre in Chipping Norton, Emma is already working on replacing a customer’s tyre when we arrive. It’s not hard to see that she really enjoys her work and gets on well with the other members of the team. “It’s fun but hard working,” says Emma, “Something new happens every day or someone interesting calls into the centre.”

Emma’s apprenticeship at Kwik Fit came almost by chance. Having studied Art & Design at college, she decided she did not want to continue to university. Instead, with a passion for cars, she decided to call into her local centre one day where, coincidentally, we had an apprenticeship opportunity.

Now almost two years in, Emma is a competent and confident fitter who carries out repairs to tyres, brakes, batteries and more on a daily basis under the supervision of the centre manager. “It was scary at first but learning new things then practising them is great. You really build new friendships throughout the course.” The Kwik Fit apprenticeship combines on-the-job training in centre with regular training courses held at our technical training academies dotted around the country. Apprentices attend courses every three months and each one covers a different area of the technician’s duties, starting with tyres, moving onto exhausts, then batteries and more until the apprentices has a good all round knowledge of all of the core fast-fit disciplines. “Be prepared,” adds Emma, “some of the courses require a lot of hard work but the support you get throughout from the trainers and assessors is great.”

Six months into the course, apprentices are given the opportunity to choose a development path so that candidates can focus on specific areas of training. This gives apprentices the opportunity to hone their skills, whether they want to focus of being a tyre fitter or advance into one of the more technical disciplines like servicing & MOTs. “The Kwik Fit apprenticeship gets you where you want to go as there are many different paths in which to climb higher in the company. My assessor and my trainer have helped me develop and push me to go where I want to be.”

Emma chose the management path which means that, as well as regular technician’s duties, she will also focus on customer interaction; ordering, stock control & deliveries, and customer billing. “Talking to different customers and learning all about them is the best part of my job. Being able to help them is very rewarding.”

The Kwik Fit apprenticeship really is the gold standard in the industry. That’s why we receive thousands of applications each year. The course includes a Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Fitting (with the opportunity to move onto a Level 3 programme for those with aptitude). We work closely with the awarding body to ensure all our training and assessments meet recognised national criteria. Our training is delivered in-house by our fully qualified trainers and our assessors visit apprentices regularly in centre to check on their progress.

Before we left, we asked Emma if she had any advice for anyone, male or female, thinking of applying for the Kwik Fit apprenticeship: “Don’t be afraid, give it a go. Being in a male dominated environment can be intimidating at first but you are treated with respect and the same as everyone else. Have fun and be prepared to work hard.”

If you’d like to start a career with us with two years of full training, apply now to become a Kwik Fit apprentice.