ROB RETIRES: Long serving panel technician Rob ‘Pops’ Kelby (seated) retires from AW Repair Group. Pictured with wife Daphne, Branch Manager Steve Hoe (left) and Managing Director Andrew Walsh (centre).

AW Repair Group have celebrated our first retirement. After a decade of service with the company, Rob Kelby enjoyed his last day at work yesterday.

Rob was originally employed as a panel technician for AW a decade ago within the fast paced workshop; lately Rob has been driving one of the transporters. Swapping his car keys for a golf club, Rob is now set to enjoy a much deserved quieter life on the golf course.

To mark the occasion, the team at the Sleaford branch raised a glass and enjoyed a meal with Rob last night at a local restaurant. Rob is well liked, a team member colleagues affectionately name ‘Pops’. Swapping stories and sharing memories it made for a fantastic evening.

Here at AW we want to thank you Rob for the time you have graced us with, your humour and loyalty will be sorely missed and we wish you all the best in the next chapter of your life.

Added Managing Director Andrew Walsh: “Rob has been an excellent role model and mentor to other team members and will be very much missed from the team.”

We are proud to announce that AW Repair Group’s long standing South Yorkshire team member John Barnett has today been informed he has passed his ATA VDA re-accreditation (Automotive Training Association Vehicle Damage Assessor)

John is the first VDA (Vehicle Damage Assessor) in the group to go through the re-accreditation process and I am sure you will all join me in congratulating John on this achievement.

The accreditation was implemented by the British Standard Institute (BSI) PAS125 programme to licensed bodyshops in the UK in 2007/8, to ensure those who are assessing vehicle damage are fully trained and competent to do so on today’s modern and complicated vehicles. The accreditation has to be re-achieved every three years to ensure VDAs are aware of the latest repair methods and technological changes in construction. John is therefore one of the first batch of previously accredited VDAs to go through the re-accreditation process.

John is the longest standing employee at our South Yorkshire site. Joining AW in 2003, John has held two positions within the company, one as a VDA and the other as a Workshop Controller.

Delighted with his achievement John had this to say, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank AW for the constant support throughout my career. The whole team has been behind me and it’s a real pleasure to be able to continue to work with AW.”

 
In advance celebration of Mother’s Day AW Accident Repair Group hosted a Lady Driver’s Day in association with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.

Throughout the day guests enjoyed interactive activities which not only provided a fun filled afternoon but also enabled guests to improve their driving skills and road safety knowledge.

The day included a car crash simulator with occupants experiencing the hydraulic movement simulation and in-car smoke while a Traumatic crash is played on DVD screens.

On a lighter note ladies competed against the clock for the title if Fastest Brands Hatch lap on a racing simulator, day dreamed in beautiful prestige cars and were also able to relax and wind down with onsite beauty treatments and Body shop At Home stall.

A personalised vehicle check was carried out in each guests car and a estimating demo showed the ladies how repair costs are calculated using the safest methods tested by the Thatcham Research Centre – home of the crash test dummies.

A short presentation also showed guests how to exploit insurance company loopholes to save money on both future premiums and repair costs.

The event was supported by the whole community with generous gifts being donated by local businesses for competition winners and raffle prizes in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Video highlights of the day can now be found on our YouTube channel, or click below to go straight there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8FSvcJYU-w

AW guarantee the future of the industry with the support of the Volkswagen group paint and body apprenticeship training programme. By passing vital skills to a new generation, AW secure the flow of highly skilled manufacturer trained technicians. At AW we like to call this process ‘growing your own.’

James is our latest recruit to join us from the apprenticeship training programme; he will undertake a three year block release scheme at AW as well as spending time at the VWG national learning centre in Milton Keynes. James will attend the NLC for one week of training every six weeks, and earn a salary whilst he learns his trade.

Sleaford branch Manager Steve Hoe had this to say, “I am delighted to welcome James to AW, here he will quickly develop and harness his skills under the guidance of myself and our team of manufacturer trained technicians. I would also like to thank Volkswagen group for delivering such an advanced apprenticeship programme, which is highly regarded as the best within the motor industry.”

James pictured above with Simon, hopes to follow in his mentor’s footsteps. As a 16 year old, Simon joined AW as an apprentice panel technician, now with more than 14 years of experience and qualifications which include VWG, Porsche and Jaguar LandRover approved training, Simon is a full structural aluminium trained technician providing an exciting insight into what the future could hold for James.