Apprenticeship Day highlights training success at Hendy Group

As Apprenticeship Week gets underway in the UK, (Feb 6th to 12th) one south coast motoring group has held a dedicated event to mark their achievements.

Hendy Group currently has 63 apprentices working in the business and has plans to recruit more this year.

An action-packed day at motor racing circuit Thruxton gave new apprentices an insight into the Hendy business and certificates were awarded to those who have recently completed their apprenticeships.

The theme of the day was opportunity and Hendy Group chief executive Paul Hendy said apprentices are a crucial part of the future growth of the business and urged these colleagues to see their apprenticeship as the start of a long career with the company.

“We have apprentices working throughout the business and some of our most successful senior managers started their careers with Hendy as apprentices,” said Paul. “Our current apprentices are an integral part of our long-term growth plan and we look forward to seeing them flourish as their careers progress.”

Former apprentices at Hendy Group include used car sales director Simon Palmer who joined the business in 1985 and he said the current apprentices should be ready to take every chance they are offered to learn and grow in their careers.

Apprentices also heard from Hendy brand ambassador Alex Danson-Bennett who shared her story of resilience. The former England and GB hockey player won gold at the Rio Olympics but retired from the professional game after suffering a serious brain injury in 2019.

She said the biggest key to her success had been to fail fast and encouraged apprentices to celebrate the small wins as these lead to the big wins in the future.

“Failing is inevitable but it is how you choose to learn from failure that gives you the critical edge needed to achieve your goals,” she said. 

Hendy Group currently has apprentices in roles ranging from service technicians through to customer service, marketing, body shop and social media, reflecting the wide range of opportunities available.

People director Sarah Martyn said that by having apprentices in a number of departments gives the company tremendous diversity and drives creativity and innovation. “Success for me is seeing our apprentices progress into the roles they have been working towards and continue their development with us,” she said.

Certificates were presented to six successful apprentices on the day with Evan Payne, James Boakes, James Drapper, Daniel Drummond, Jake Fielder and Charley Wallworth, all now qualified.