Five talented young AW apprentices were recognised at the ABP Body Repair Industry Apprentice Awards (BRIAA’s) yesterday (Tuesday 18^th June).

Twenty-one-year-old Estonian-born Hegert (Nottingham) and the AW Training & Apprenticeship Academy’s first female apprentice 21-year-old Summer (Denaby Fast Finish) jointly received the Best Apprentice Newcomer Award.

AW presented awards in three categories this year with Most Improved also a shared title between 18-year-old Jack (Denaby Main) and Leon (17) from the Markham Vale site.

And the title of AW’s 2019 Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Joshua (18) from the Newark site.

AW’s Training & Apprenticeship academy has grown and developed significantly over the past two years, recruiting 20 young people into the business.

Ian Pearson, Technical & Training Academy Manager commented: “It was extremely difficult to choose one apprentice per category so we had to jointly award Best Newcomer and Most Improved. We chose to reward the two apprentices who have really shone due to their attitude, commitment and progression for our Best Apprentice Newcomer award and we wanted to recognise two individuals who due to their hard work and persistence have really turned their career journey around for our Most Improved award.

“Then we had the tough decision of naming our 2019 Apprentice of the Year. Again it was very close so we took into consideration college reports and their work both in the classroom and the workplace. They’re all doing so well, it was hard to single anyone out.”

Added Jade Johnson, Business Relations & Marketing Manager, “The BRIAA’s were another great event by ABP this year. Seeing so many apprentices in our industry being awarded and recognised for what they are doing is fantastic. I’m glad AutoRaise is raising the profile that there really are some fantastic career opportunities in the body repair industry.”

AW Repair Group are looking forward to commencing on the AutoRaise REAL Rally next week with two of the group’s apprentices, who have worked to prepare the rally vehicles, taking part.

Best Newcomer joint winner Summer was also recently featured in a three minute documentary by Telegraph Newspaper Media Group about AW Repair Group’s commitment to the future of the industry.
Click here to view: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/business-club/business/car-accident-repairs/

AW Repair Group and The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) have now held final discussions at AW’s Prestige HQ in Sleaford, Lincolnshire regarding their newly announced membership.

Andrew Walsh, AW Repair Group’s Managing Director and James Dunn, AW’s Group Operations Manager met with Chris Weeks, NBRA Director and Michael Wicks, NBRA National Business Development Manager to finalise the membership details and confirm support of NBRA’s vision to become a single voice for the body repair industry.

“I feel we are at a time when constructive discussions that arise from the many forums and events within the body repair industry can be taken that step further by an acknowledged members association. It’s great that the NBRA members will have one consolidated voice to help shape the future of this industry.” Commented Andrew.

Chris Weeks, NBRA Director, added: “For years I have admired the way Andrew and his whole team at AW work – long before my role here. Attracting highly evolved groups like AW into membership strengthens our voice when addressing the key issues that affect the body repair industry. As repairers become more united by the NBRA, industry decision makers are increasingly more willing to listen to us.”

Proud winners at this years’ LV= GI Claims Partner Awards is AW Repair Group, just eight months after opening its first LV= Sole Supply site.

Scooping the award for Best at Living LV= Values demonstrates the true partnership between the two entities committed to providing a seamless service for motor policy holders.

Managing Director Andrew Walsh commented: “We have been working with LV= for many years but opening the sole supply site has allowed everyone at the Derby branch to focus wholeheartedly on the values and service this particular insurer strives to promote. This is another fabulous achievement for AW Repair Group.”

The award criteria was looking for supply partners across all sectors of their insurance portfolio (car, home, pet, travel) who demonstrated that they “Inspire Trust by being honest, credible and reliable; Be Brave by doing what’s right rather than what’s easy; With Heart by being passionate and proud and Nurturing by working together to achieve more.”

Branch Manager of the Derby Site Wayne Oakes was delighted. “This is a great accolade for the whole group and particularly here at Derby where the team really does work together as one to ensure we are an extension of the LV= brand to our mutual customer.”

Added Group Operations Manager James Dunn: “I’m very proud to be at the forefront of this relationship and we are looking forward to taking this winning formula forward even further.”

The Best at Living LV= Value Award comes just a year after AW Repair Group won LV= GI Community Award at the 2018 ceremony.

Watch AW Repair Group’s recently released dynamic video celebrating their exclusive arrangement with Liverpool Victoria General Insurance (LV=GI)

This week is National Apprenticeship Week and what better way to recognise our commitment to developing and investing in young talent than introducing you to the latest intake into our Training & Apprenticeship Academy and sharing what they have been up to since joining AW Repair Group.

These ten students joined us in January, following the successful Showcase Event held at our purpose designed LV= solus site in Derby in November 2018. Their multiskilled college course is due to commence in two weeks at Emtec College, Nottingham.

The year one apprentices have been partnered with a skilled technician mentor and have had a rounded view of the whole repair process ahead of attending college. Each apprentice has been stripping cars ready for repair, removing items such as bumpers, interior trims, diagnostic sweep, wheel alignment and some light panel work.

The youngest apprentice in this year’s intake is 17 year old Thomas and the oldest is 23 year old Jamie. We also have 19 year old Artur, whose native tongue is Polish and 21 year old female apprentice technician Summer.

It’s an absolute pleasure speaking with our latest apprentices who are all grasping the opportunities before them and enjoying being part of the AW team.

One commented: “I’ve never felt like I ever fitted in anywhere. That made school difficult. But already I feel like I have a purpose here at AW and part of a team where I can make a difference and feel valued.”

Our year two students are also becoming an integral part of the AW team carrying out moderate repairs independently such as doorskin and quarter panel replacement. All eight passed their year one with flying colours and and are looking forward to the next stage in their career development.

TEN new apprentices are now geared up ready to start their career with AW Repair Group.

Following the success of AW’s Apprentice Showcase Event in November, ten eager youngsters who attended the event have now been appointed and started on their apprenticeship journey.

The new recruits who, had been at their posts for just five days, recently gathered together to enjoy an introduction day at AW’s Nottingham site. They were able to meet each other, talk to last year’s apprentices and were introduced to the company’s ethos and philosophies by Managing Director Andrew Walsh.

“Key to key, cycle time and average repair cost are phrases you will come to hear frequently,” Andrew told the young people. “We spend the insurance company’s money for them so we have to spend it wisely. Our brand is well known and we protect it; we are proud of what we do and what we have achieved. You have been chosen to join the AW Apprentice Academy, it will be like joining a new big family, and given a great opportunity. Now it’s over to you.”

Ian Pearson, who will be administratively mentoring the apprentices within AW added: “You have been given tablets to record and evidence your progress and you will be creating a portfolio for each module. There’s a lot of change in this industry, we are now entering the hybrid era, with lots of opportunity and you have a great future here.”

Jake, Artur, Summer, Thomas, Jamie, Bradleigh, Hegert, Owen, Declan and Jacob will be working across the group’s 8 sites and follow on from the 2018 apprentice intake boosting AW’s Training and Apprenticeship Academy to 19 recruits.

The young people each received their corporate blue and orange uniform, personnel handbook and electronic tablet, AW branded satchel, plus the added bonus of tooling vouchers to get their beginner toolbox started.

James Dunn, Group Operations Manager for AW Repair Group: “It’s encouraging to see how many young people are interested in the vehicle repair industry, we have some really engaging and inspiring young people with us who are eager to learn and ultimately repair cars. Having provided each apprentice with a senior technician as their hands-on mentor, we are giving them all the support and guidance they need in order to succeed.”

The 18-20 year olds will be completing their multi-skilled apprenticeship at Emtec College, Nottingham, where they will have their own independent AW class, learning the disciplines of panel, paint and MET. The three-year course incorporates six 1-week training block release classes per year where the apprentices will learn elements of MET (Mechanical, Electrical & Trim) initially, followed by panel and finally paint.

“We invest in our apprentices and provide them with all the support they need to make it work and we are really looking forward to watching their careers progress and grow with AW and taking forward all the opportunities that arise,” added Andrew.