Apprenticeship applicants visit Audi workshops

More than 200 applicant apprentices took part in Open Evenings in Audi dealerships across the country, eager to get on the company's Advanced Apprenticeship scheme, writes Trish Whelan.

The 213 were chosen from over 1,500 applicants who had registered their interest online.

Around 30 of them will be accepted onto the scheme this year. It fast-tracks apprentice mechanics to full Audi certification in four years rather than the usual seven.

Apprentices will receive Audi brand training at the same time as their general workshop training and college studies, rather than after.

After completion of the Audi Advanced Apprenticeship, the new Audi-certified technicians will have clear paths to specialist roles within the Audi Ireland network, like service advisor, parts advisor, diagnostic technician and master technician.

Applications for the 2016 programme are now closed; applications for the next programme will begin in early 2017.