Faced with a widening skills gap across the motor trade, Renault Retail Group (RRG) is driving change by investing in new talent through Autotech Academy’s internship initiative. The result is a growing pipeline of skilled, motivated technicians now embedded across the Group’s UK network – helping to strengthen aftersales operations and future-proof the workforce.
To date, RRG has taken on five Autotech Academy interns who are now permanent employees, with two more currently on placement across its sites.
Vanessa Ryan, HR Manager – Projects, Learning & Development at Renault Retail Group, highlights the importance of the partnership: “We first collaborated with Autotech Academy for the Intern Programme during a period when we had numerous Technician vacancies across the UK. Autotech Academy made the initial setup seamless by providing briefing materials for our teams and granting access to their portal, allowing our Line Managers to review and schedule interviews with vetted candidates sourced by Autotech Academy.
We’ve been fortunate with the quality of interns who joined our team, quickly showcasing their skills and adding significant value. Today, many of these interns are now Renault Technicians in our workshops, with clear career paths in place and ongoing brand-specific training. This programme is now an integral part of our sourcing and succession strategy, and we are delighted to be able to give freshly qualified Technicians the opportunity to work with us and the Renault brand.”
One such success story is Ronan Cardozo, now a full-time vehicle technician at Renault Watford. After completing his Level 3 Light Vehicle Repair and Maintenance qualification at Oxbridge College, Ronan joined the dealership through Autotech Academy’s paid internship programme, which connects newly qualified college leavers with automotive employers.
Over six months, Ronan worked closely with Master Technician Patrick Rochford, gaining vital hands-on experience and quickly progressing from trainee to trusted team member. Today, he’s thriving in a permanent role – and setting his sights on becoming a Master Technician himself.
A Practical Solution to an Enduring Problem
Robert Coleman, Aftersales Manager at RRG Watford, is candid about the ongoing challengefacing the automotive aftermarket: “The skills shortage has affected the motor trade for decades. When I started out 30 years ago, the options for school leavers were limited. Now, with so many different career paths and the influence of social media, it’s even harder to attract talent into the industry.”
Robert explains that while interns often bring strong technical knowledge from their studies, they need real-world exposure to become fully effective. That’s where structured internships like those offered through Autotech Academy make a difference. “Interns are an immediate extra pair of hands. During Ronan’s placement, the efficiency of the mentor he worked alongside rose from 85% to 125%. That shows the value of this support – not just for the intern, but for the whole team.”
Patrick adds: “Apprentices often require more guidance at the beginning, but interns like Ronan come in ready to work. They’ve got the foundation—we just help them build on it.”
A Low-Risk Route to Future Talent
Autotech Academy takes much of the legwork out of recruitment for aftermarket businesses. Interns are fully equipped with tools and uniform, and each candidate is vetted before being placed. The initiative offers businesses a low-risk way to evaluate potential employees over a 6 – 12-month period, what Robert describes as a “trial period” that has worked seamlessly for his team.
“We didn’t see any challenges,” he says. “It was an easy process for us, and the usual recruitment barriers are taken away. I’d absolutely recommend it to other sites. My only advice? Just do it.”
Since its launch in 2021, Autotech Academy has placed over 400 interns into the motor trade, with more than 95% transitioning into permanent roles. For dealership groups like RRG, the initiative represents a powerful new route into the industry—bringing fresh talent into workshops and offering a long-term solution to a deep-rooted issue.
For more information visit www.autotechacademy.co.uk
An internship is an investment in your future. Autotech Academy provides you with the best opportunity to secure your first permanent role in the motor industry through our internship programme for newly qualified vehicle technicians. If you would like to know more about how we can help, be sure to get in touch with our team at hello@autotechacademy.co.uk
