Car dealership Holdcroft is revving up its commitment to the future skills of the local workforce with the launch of a new training academy as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.
The family run business, which has grown to 27 sites throughout Stoke-on-Trent and the Midlands, said the initiative is centred around a ‘grow our own’ approach with opportunities for students joining straight from school and college, plus openings for current employees.
The academy – based at the company’s Stoke-on-Trent headquarters on Leek Road – will initially focus on technician roles, before expanding into other areas of aftersales.
The first programme will begin in September, with a recruitment day scheduled for July.
HR Director Julie Uzman said: “We’re really excited about the launch of The Holdcroft Academy.
“The academy will deliver comprehensive in-house training for both students joining straight from school or college and will be for candidates at any age from any background, and will help them to complete Light Motor Vehicle Level 3 (IMI or equivalent) qualification and progress to manufacturer training.
“There will also be opportunities to train across all areas of Aftersales including Service and Parts. Plus, there will be openings for staff to retrain as a technician or MOT Tester.
“By delivering this training in-house, we gain the ability to work closely with our students and instil the unique ‘Holdcroft way of working’ from day one.”
The company was founded by Terry Holdcroft who opened its first dealership in 1966 and has experienced ‘consistent’ year-on-year growth becoming one of the largest franchised dealer groups in the UK.
It now employs 726 people, of which 326 are based in Stoke-on-Trent and 164 of the total have been with the company for more than 10 years.
In Stoke-on-Trent, the Holdcroft brand is prominent in Hanley, Leek Road in Stoke and Cobridge, with makes such as Renault, Dacia, Nissan, Hyundai, Volvo, Mazda and MG.
A new Omoda and Jaecoo showroom was opened by Holdcroft in Stoke-on-Trent in December last year after success with the brands in Northwich.
Chris Greenhall, Managing Director of Holdcroft Motor Group, said: “It is a really exciting time to be launching The Holdcroft Academy as we reach a significant milestone, celebrating our 60 years. Also this will enable us to provide opportunities for more local people who themselves will add to the legacy which has already been created.
“We will also soon be adding more premium brands to our Stoke-on-Trent showrooms as we continue to grow and plan ahead for the future.
“Holdcroft is not just a car dealership – we are a family and those family values are key to our future developments. The academy is one of the integral things to add to our continuing portfolio and we are excited for what the next 60 years will bring.”
Holdcroft’s anniversary has been commemorated with the production of 60 special edition mugs through a partnership with Burslem-based Moorland Pottery.
The mugs were shared with brand partners and staff members at an anniversary event at the Leek Road headquarters.
