News from Mercedes-Benz Trucks - Mercedes-Benz celebrates its truck and van stars of tomorrow
[cid:image004.jpg@01D2CFF4.FE24F350] Date: 18 May 2017 [Ben Hassall & Oliver Warrington] Bright futures: Orwell Truck & Van's Oliver Warrington, left, and Ben Hassall, of City West Commercials Mercedes-Benz celebrates its truck and van stars of tomorrow Teenaged truck and van trainees Ben Hassall and Oliver Warrington came together from opposite sides of the country to collect prestigious Mercedes-Benz Apprentice of the Year awards. Ben, who works in Exeter for South-West Dealer City West Commercials, was presented with the trophy for Commercial Vehicle Technicians, while Oliver, who is based at the Norwich branch of East Anglian franchisee Orwell Truck & Van, won the prize for Parts Operations Specialists. The two were chosen from shortlists of three for each job category, on the basis of their positive attitudes and behaviours, as well as their performances in online tests and practical assignments. All six finalists, their guests, and counterparts from the manufacturer's Passenger Car Retail Network, were treated to a day to remember - including high-octane Mercedes-AMG and 4x4 Driving Experiences - at the Mercedes-Benz World brand centre in Brooklands, Surrey. Ben, aged 18, and Oliver, 17, are both in the second year of their three-year apprenticeships. Their training to date has entailed a combination of on-the-job instruction in the workshop and Parts department at their respective Dealerships, and block release study at the award-winning Mercedes-Benz National Apprentice Academy in Milton Keynes. The pioneering commitment of Mercedes-Benz to the training and development of its young people was recognised at the latest National Apprenticeship Awards, where the company took the honours in the category for Large Employers with between 250 and 4,999 staff. Sam Whittaker, Director Customer Service & Operations for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, presented this year's Commercial Vehicle Apprentice of the Year awards. "All of our finalists are right up there with the very best apprentices from any industry sector, not just the truck and van business," he declared. Underlining a shared determination to provide operators with the finest levels of after sales support, the Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Mercedes-Benz Vans Dealer Network will take on record numbers of Service and Parts apprentices in 2017. "We are wedded to a philosophy of 'growing our own', nurturing and developing the talents of all who work within our organisation so that each can fully realise his or her potential," continued Sam Whittaker. "Today's trainees will be the leaders of tomorrow. With their tremendous enthusiasm for the job and appreciation of the crucial importance of customer service, the highly impressive young people whose achievements we celebrate with these awards confirm that the future of our business and brand is in safe hands." Ben still lives in his home town of Newton Abbot and travels the 16 miles to and from work on his motorbike. "It's the only one that's currently roadworthy but I have a few other 'projects' on the go," he said. "I've always been interested in mechanics, which is why I was attracted to the Mercedes-Benz Technical Apprenticeship. "I was surprised when I was told I'd been shortlisted for the award and amazed when I won. I love the work and it's a brilliant training programme; what's more, I'm being paid, which wouldn't be the case if I'd stayed in further education." Seventeen-year-old Oliver - or 'Twisty' as, for obvious reasons, he's known to his Orwell Truck & Van colleagues - is from the village of Barford, on the outskirts of Norwich. "It was the prospect of having the Mercedes-Benz name behind me that first caught my eye," he recalled. "I was interviewed a couple of times and did a week's work experience, then started shortly afterwards and haven't looked back since. "I'm very conscious that this is more than just another job. I have an opportunity to build a fulfilling career with a great company that represents one of the world's best-known brands, and I'm determined to make the most of it." The Mercedes-Benz Apprenticeship Programme has welcomed almost 3,000 young people for technician and parts specialist training since its inception in 1995 - 65% are still working within its Dealer and Retailer network. In 2016, after receiving more than 6,500 applications, it accepted a record intake of 253 students, a total that will be surpassed this year. The six Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Apprentice of the Year finalists were: Technician Winner, Ben Hassall, City West Commercials, Exeter Michael Crichton, Northside Truck & Van, Hull Thomas Kitchen, Intercounty Truck & Van, Milton Keynes Parts Operations Specialist Winner, Oliver Warrington, Orwell Truck & Van, Norwich Michael Best, Midlands Truck & Van, Coventry Connor Rees, Northside Truck & Van, York [cid:image006.jpg@01D2CFF4.FE24F350] Winners all: The Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Apprentice of the Year finalists, from left, Oliver Warrington, Orwell Truck & Van; Michael Best, Midlands Truck & Van; Thomas Kitchen, Intercounty Truck & Van; Michael Crichton, Northside Truck & Van; Connor Rees, Northside Truck & Van, and Ben Hassall, City West Commercials ends
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