LKQ spotlights sustainability at dedicated apprentice training day
Following the success of the recent National Bodyshop Repair Association (NBRA), Ageas UK and LKQ inaugural Apprentice Breakfast Club – where bodyshop owners came together at the LKQ Academy in Tamworth to discuss tacking the skills gap and supporting the next generation – LKQ has welcomed a group of the attendees’ apprentices to its site for a dedicated ‘Introduction to Sustainability’ training day.
The event, delivered by Lee Berridge, head of technical and sustainability – Bodyshop Division at LKQ, as well as in-house technical experts, blended classroom learning with hands-on activities to bring sustainability to life.
Apprentices explored how sustainable practices can be applied across products, processes and equipment within their own bodyshops, while also gaining a stronger understanding of how their individual actions and carbon footprint contribute to wider environmental goals.
To round off the day, each apprentice, including apprentices from SmartXpress, FA Mid Devon, FA Wrexham, PJ Rhodes and Pro Group Repairs, had the chance to put their learning into practice by working on their own panel, turning insight into action.
Feedback from the apprentices was overwhelmingly positive. Many described how much they loved the day and are eager for more hands-on experiences. Several admitted they hadn’t fully appreciated what sustainability means in a bodyshop setting until now.
One apprentice summed it up perfectly, reflecting: “I had no idea roll priming was such a sustainable process compared to traditional high-build priming: it’s eye-opening.”
Jodie Mullard, director of customer strategy at LKQ, said: “We are super proud to be able to offer this free training. Investing in apprentices is investing in the future of our industry. Giving them the right skills, support and opportunities to develop is so important, and if we can play even a small part in that through this exclusive sustainability training, it’s a step in the right direction.
“Embedding sustainability into their learning early on will not only set them apart but also give them the confidence to take positive steps towards building a more resilient and responsible industry. It was truly inspiring to see apprentices so engaged, and I hope they left ready to turn new ideas into meaningful action back in their bodyshops.”
With LKQ recognising the skills shortage within the industry, the day marked another step in the company’s ongoing commitment to inspiring the next generation by showcasing exciting industry opportunities, while supporting skills development and driving a more sustainable future for the automotive repair industry.