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Build your future workforce with apprenticeships
Grow your own skilled technicians, reduce recruitment pressures and build the workforce your business needs for the future.
The commercial vehicle industry is facing a growing skills shortage. By 2030, it is estimated there could be a 16,000 vehicle technician shortage.
With competition for experienced technicians increasing, salaries are likely to continue rising. The industry needs to take collective action, and growing your own talent is part of the solution.
Why hire an apprentice?
An apprenticeship isn’t just a way to recruit. It’s an opportunity to invest in your workforce, develop skills from within and build your future talent pipeline.
Develop skilled technicians within your business and build a workforce with the skills and knowledge you need.
Apprentices offer a cost-effective way to grow your team while they develop their skills and experience.
Eligible employers can benefit from an exemption from employer National Insurance contributions for qualifying apprentices.
Government funding and incentives are available to help eligible employers with the cost of employing and training an apprentice.
For eligible apprentices aged 24 and under, training can be fully funded, helping make developing new talent even more cost-effective.
Apprentices are proven to deliver a return on investment within 12 months, making an apprenticeship an investment in the future of your business.
reduce the cost of hiring an apprentice
Government funding and employer savings could make taking on an apprentice more affordable than you think.
For eligible apprentices under 25, employers do not pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions, helping reduce the cost of employing a new member of your team.
Eligible employers may also benefit from 100% government-funded apprenticeship training for qualifying apprentices under 25, alongside a range of government incentives that can help with the cost of recruiting and developing new talent.
National Insurance savings
No employer Class 1 National Insurance contributions for eligible apprentices under 25, subject to the relevant earnings and eligibility rules.
100% funded training
Eligible non-levy employers can access 100% government-funded apprenticeship training for qualifying apprentices under 25.
Up to £2,000 hiring incentive
From 1 October 2026, eligible non-levy employers hiring a new apprentice aged 16–24 may be able to access a £2,000 hiring incentive.
Other employer incentives
Depending on the apprentice and your business, additional support may be available, including the £1,000 Young Apprentice Payment, Youth Jobs Grant and local employer funding.
Make your apprenticeship work harder for your business
We can help you understand which funding and incentives your business could be eligible for and guide you through the process.
The technician shortage isn’t going away
The competition for experienced technicians is only likely to increase.
Rather than waiting for skilled technicians to become available, develop them yourself.
Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to bring new talent into your business, train them to industry standards and develop their skills around your own operation
we’ll help you find the right apprentice
Finding and screening candidates can take time, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Inspiro can provide screened applicants for you to consider. You make the final choice.
We’ll support you through the recruitment process, helping you find potential candidates while keeping you in control of who joins your business.
1. Tell us what you need
We’ll discuss your business, workforce requirements and the apprenticeship you’re looking for.
2. We find suitable candidates
Our team screens applicants and provides suitable candidates for you to consider.
3. You choose
You meet the candidates, carry out your own recruitment process and choose the person who is right for your business.
4. We train and support them
Once they’ve joined, we provide the training and ongoing support throughout their apprenticeship.
apprenticeships for the commercial vehicle industry
Once you’ve decided to grow your own talent, we’ll help you choose the right training route.
Develop a qualified Maintenance and Inspection Technician in just two years.
24 months
Give your business a new technician with the practical skills and knowledge to carry out vehicle maintenance, servicing and inspection across buses, coaches and HGVs.
Under the new Bus, Coach and Heavy Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance standard, your apprentice can become a qualified Maintenance and Inspection Technician in just two years – one year sooner than the previous standard.
Apprentices develop skills in:
Vehicle servicing and maintenance
Inspection and testing
Braking systems
Diesel vehicle systems
Battery electric vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
Gas-powered vehicles
The programme also provides a clear progression route into Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Service & Maintenance and Diagnostics, allowing you to continue developing your technician as their skills and experience grow.
Develop an advanced heavy vehicle technician with maintenance and diagnostic skills.
32 months + 3 months End-Point Assessment
Give your business a technician with the practical skills and knowledge to maintain, repair and diagnose modern commercial vehicles, helping strengthen your workshop capability and reduce reliance on external recruitment.
By the end of the apprenticeship, your apprentice will achieve a Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Technician qualification, giving you a highly skilled addition to your workshop team and a strong foundation for their technical career.
Apprentices develop skills in:
Vehicle servicing and maintenance
Inspection and testing
Braking and chassis systems
Engines and transmission
Electrical, fuel and air systems
Vehicle diagnostics
DVSA compliance
Training combines hands-on learning, block release and workplace development, allowing apprentices to put their skills into practice while developing within your business.
mixed fleet? explore apprenticeships & training
If your business operates both heavy and light vehicles, you can also develop technicians through our Level 3 Light Vehicle Service & Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship.
Alongside apprenticeships, our commercial training can help you upskill existing technicians in areas such as EV and hybrid technology, diagnostics, IRTEC and ADAS.
Build technical capability across your wider fleet and create a more flexible, skilled workforce.
more than training
Develop people who can grow with your business
An apprenticeship combines training with real workplace experience, helping your apprentice develop skills they can put into practice from day one.
Hands-on training designed around the skills technicians need in the real world.
Apprentices apply what they learn to your vehicles, systems and processes.
Our training team supports both you and your apprentice throughout the programme.
Develop technicians who can adapt as commercial vehicle technology continues to evolve.
why choose inspiro?
Our automotive apprenticeship programmes are built around the practical skills needed in today’s commercial vehicle industry.
We can provide screened applicants, saving you time while keeping the final recruitment decision firmly with you.
From recruitment and enrolment through to training and completion, we’re there to support you and your apprentice.
Apprentices develop their skills through hands-on learning alongside their workplace experience.
don’t wait for the skills shortage to get worse
The commercial vehicle industry needs more skilled technicians. Waiting for experienced talent to become available isn’t the only option.
Grow your own. Develop your people. Build your future workforce.
Talk to Inspiro about hiring an apprentice and find out which programme is right for your business.
Build the skills your business needs for the road ahead.