Police force helps young vehicle technician onto the career ladder through Autotech Academy

Back in 2022 Dorset Police, together with Devon and Cornwall Police, took a fresh approach to recruiting new talent into its workshops by collaborating with Autotech Academy to create an internship position for a newly qualified female vehicle technician.

Overseeing a fleet of over 1,300 police vehicles across Devon and Cornwall, maintaining staffing levels was critical to Chris West, Workshop Manager across the constabulary’s Plymouth, Bodmin & Camborne workshops.

Demonstrating that those working within the emergency services are not immune to the skills shortage affecting the entire automotive aftermarket, finding vehicle technicians was a challenge.

“We are dealing with taxpayer’s money, we have to be accountable and there are many levels of administration to go through when recruiting. However, like the rest of the automotive industry, finding skilled vehicle technicians was becoming increasingly difficult.”

Chris West, Workshop Manager across the constabulary’s Plymouth, Bodmin & Camborne workshops.

Following the launch of the Government’s Police Uplift Programme in 2019, which would see the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers, Chris’ thoughts turned to the additional number of vehicles this increase would result in with a significant number of these recruits bound for Devon and Cornwall.

“We needed a long term solution in the recruitment of technicians to ensure that we had the resources to manage the inevitable increase in vehicles which would require repair and maintenance.”

Chris West, Workshop Manager across the constabulary’s Plymouth, Bodmin & Camborne workshops.

Having previously worked with Autotech Group’s recruitment division, Chris contacted the company after hearing about its new Autotech Academy division. Launched in 2021 to help support the transition of newly qualified Level 3 automotive students into the sector through a paid internship, Autotech Academy acts as a conduit between colleges and the automotive aftermarket to ensure the skills learned remain within the industry, creating a sustainable pipeline of future talent.

Each intern is vetted and interviewed by the Autotech Academy team before being put forward for an intern position. Equipped with a toolbox and uniform, the interns are then paid an hourly rate on a 6-12 month internship, depending on the needs of the employer.

After qualifying with a Level 3 in Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair at St Austell College, Holly Treleaven, signed up with Autotech Academy. Entering into a 12-month internship with Dorset Police, (hosts of the Devon and Cornwall Police force fleet) in September 2022, Holly was stationed within the force’s Bodmin workshop.

While fully qualified, interns have a lack of on-the-job experience, however within weeks they are a valuable, full-time resource capable of carrying out many tasks.

“From the outset, we were really happy with how Holly fitted in. She began by working on MOTs and carrying out servicing work. Of course, police vehicles are different from usual vehicles on the road. For instance, due to the speed these vehicles need to reach, there is no room for error, so, in the early days we were overseeing Holly’s work. However, we have been very pleased with her ability and the entire internship process.”

Chris West, Workshop Manager across the constabulary’s Plymouth, Bodmin & Camborne workshops.

Having a life-long passion for cars, Holly was keen to transfer this into her career and signed up for, and completed, a three year Level 3 Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair course. However, along with her peers, she realised that finding a role would be difficult once she had completed her studies. It’s a sentiment which is felt by a reported 10,000 newly qualified technicians each year who end up finding employment in other sectors.

“Everyone on my course knew that it would be difficult. So many students struggle to get into the industry when they qualify due to their lack of experience. We just need to be given a chance which is why I signed up for Autotech Academy. I am thoroughly enjoying my time with the police and, while I am able to put the college theory into practice, I learned so much on the job in such a short space of time.”

Holly Treleaven, former vehicle technician intern.

At the end of every internship period, the intern is offered a permanent role with the employer, or not.

“Our internship offering is effectively a ‘try before you buy’ solution for the employer. Ideally, the intern is offered a permanent position at the end of the internship, and this happens around 90% of the time, however, if this doesn’t happen the intern is more suited to employment within the industry as not only do they have the qualifications, but they also have the experience, and we have a much better chance of keeping them within the sector as a result.”

James Mackay, Autotech Academy’s Managing Director.

At the end of Holly’s internship in September 2023, she was offered a permanent position within the workshop.

To read similar articles, check out our People and Skills channel.