Aston Barclay recruits further apprentice

Aston Barclay has recruited its latest apprentice as part of its drive to bring new talent into the remarketing industry.

Liam Draper has recently joined the accounts and finance team at Aston Barclay’s main Chelmsford site, working in a wider group role where he’ll learn a wide variety of accountancy and financial skills, working towards his Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification.

Aston Barclay has a successful history of recruiting apprentices – many of which remain with Aston Barclay as full-time employees – to various group roles in the last three years, educating them through their tailored in-house apprenticeship, national qualifications and auctioneering courses.

The flexibility of Aston Barclay’s apprenticeship programme has allowed apprentices to combine on-the-job training with business and administration qualifications in a number of roles, with increasing number of new apprentices favouring this route to the traditional academic path.

The group’s first apprentice, Andrew Munt, started in 2013 and subsequently undertook National Vocational Qualifications in business admin, management and supervision and leadership. He is now a fully-fledged auctioneer, conducting sales for some of the UK’s leading automotive companies.

Trainee auctioneer Thomas Clarke has also worked towards NVQs in business management and administration at Chelmsford alongside fellow apprentice Hayley Pickard, while Westbury-based apprentices Sam Bryers and Courtney Crawford are also currently studying for their NVQ Level 3 business administration qualifications.

David Scarborough, commercial director of Aston Barclay, said: "It is vital for the future of our company and industry that we source and nurture the best talent.

"The remarketing industry is not one which is widely seen as a career option and often overlooked by many young people, yet through our apprenticeship and training programmes, we have showcased just what an exciting and varied industry it is and that there is real potential to succeed in a range of roles.”