Ella is already a real asset after starting her apprenticeship

“Ella will be an integral part of our organisation and will learn and develop new skills during her time with us”

A Warwick-based vehicle leasing specialist has been able to invest in a new apprentice with funding from Warwickshire County Council’s Apprenticeship Levy Share Programme and Future Skills: Salary Support Programme. 

Advanced Vehicle Contracts, who have been trading for more than 35 years, have recruited Ella Pearce as a Business Administration Apprentice through Warwickshire College Group, to support in the sales and administration of their new electric car strategy. 

The last two years have brought increasing demand for their services as more motorists move to a car leasing arrangement and away from vehicle ownership. Advanced Vehicle Contracts have six staff and operate across the UK, with around 60 per cent of its business within a 50-mile radius of its headquarters in Warwick. 

Through Warwickshire Skills Hub’s Apprenticeship Levy Share Programme, Ella’s £5,000 apprenticeship training with WCG has been fully funded. By accessing the new Future Skills: Salary Support Programme, the business will also receive £2,000 salary support for Ella. 

“Ella will be an integral part of our organisation and will learn and develop new skills during her time with us,” said Stephen Hussey, Managing Director of Advanced Vehicle Contracts. “Thanks to WCC supporting us with their Apprenticeship Levy Share Programme and their Future Skills: Salary Support Programme, we can focus on Ella’s development, and invest time and resources into her progression. 

"As a business, we are fully aware of the potential growth of leasing Electric Cars and Ella will be instrumental in the success of our green credentials’ strategy." 

Stephen has recruited an apprentice before to great success. 

“Our previous apprentice is now our office manager," he said. "It is a route that has always worked well for us, and that is in large part down to the enthusiasm of apprentices to progress and succeed. We got in touch with WCG and Ella was introduced as a candidate. Ella has a great enthusiasm and attitude to work. She is already proving a real asset to our team.” 

Ella, 20, from Leamington Spa said: “I wanted to take my career in a different direction. This opportunity came up and I knew it was right for me”. 

“The team has been amazing and very supportive since I joined. I’m really enjoying the work. It’s a proactive role and I’m learning a lot.” 

Apprenticeships are a great way for a business to invest in future skills by either recruiting new talent or supporting existing staff who may want to expand their workplace skills and knowledge and achieve nationally recognised qualifications appropriate to their job role. If you are an SME based in Warwickshire and considering taking on an apprentice and would like to know more about how Warwickshire Skills Hub can support your business, email skillshub@warwickshire.gov.uk to request an appointment with one of our Business Skills Support Advisors.