Volvo's Apprentices Graduate With a Secure Future

SYDNEY – November 17, 2009: On Thursday 19 November, the five apprentices of Volvo Car Australia's inaugural Apprenticeship Program will graduate as technicians securing ongoing employment within the Volvo dealer network.

The newly qualified technicians include Sven Linderholm (Premier Volvo Motors, Osborne Park, WA), Paul Lymberis (Solitaire Volvo, Mile End, SA), and three graduates from Brisbane's Austral Volvo, Terrence Call, Ian Rinebarger and Luke Alexander.

The Volvo Apprenticeship Program was established in 2008 with the aim of giving aspiring apprentices the opportunity to participate in a bespoke training program that focuses on diagnosing, servicing and repairing Volvo's models using the latest diagnostic equipment and technical know-how.

The program also proactively addresses the lack of skilled technicians available to the industry, with automotive tradespersons in the top ten occupations with the highest levels of skills shortages nationally (source: Clarius Skills Index, July 2009).

"Volvo Car Australia strongly believes in harnessing the skills that these students bring to the program and want to reward them with a work culture where they can learn from industry leaders, be exposed to the latest in breakthrough technology and be part of a well reputed brand that puts people first," says Philip Larmour, Aftersales Director at Volvo Car Australia.

For the apprentices, the program is an opportunity to turn their love of the automotive world into a skilled, hands-on learning experience with a solid employment future.

"I chose the Volvo Apprenticeship Program because it not only included every aspect of the Light Automotive apprenticeship available through TAFE, but it also gave me the opportunity to learn with experienced Volvo technicians using the latest diagnostic equipment, which I could then directly apply to my work at Premier Motors," says Sven Linderholm, Volvo Apprenticeship graduate from Premier Volvo Motors in Osborne Park, WA.

"There is no doubt in my mind that I have developed into a better technician because of the people involved with Volvo's program," said Sven.

Volvo's training and competency assessment is provided at all levels from apprentice through to graded technician (level 1 to level 4) and finally, Master Technician. Qualified technicians also have the opportunity to compete in the Volvo International Service Training Awards (VISTA) held every two years. VISTA finalists are rewarded with a trip to Sweden to join other market finalists for a study tour of Volvo's production and engineering facilities.

Completion of the Volvo Car Australia Apprenticeship course fulfils the Government's formal academic requirements and, when combined with the required practical workplace experience, enables the graduate to qualify as a Volvo technician.

This year, approximately 426,700 apprentices and trainees were in-training across the country in a variety of industries. In 2008, 92 per cent of students who completed an apprenticeship or traineeship were employed within nine months, and were earning $46,200 per year on average in comparison to $39,800 for non-completers. (Source: NCVER Australian Vocational Education & Training Statistics, 2008 - 2009).

For more information on the Volvo Car Australia Apprenticeship Program contact 1800 786 586