As one of the longest-serving Nissan dealer groups in the UK, Yeomans is taking a proactive approach to tackling the automotive industry’s skills shortage by investing in a new generation of talent – through a growing partnership with Autotech Academy.
With interns now working across its UK sites, Yeomans has fully embraced the Autotech Academy internship model as an alternative and effective recruitment route for young people entering the sector. Designed to support newly qualified automotive students, the programme offers a paid 6 to 12-month internship, complete with a toolbox and uniform. Over 95% of interns who complete the programme successfully go on to secure permanent roles within the industry.
What sets the initiative apart is its flexibility. Each participating employer can tailor the internship model to their exact business needs – whether that’s through specialised technical training, mentoring structures, or long-term career planning. This customisable approach allows dealer groups like Yeomans to develop bespoke pathways for interns, effectively growing their own talent from the ground up.
For 19-year-old Clio Perry, an intern based at Yeomans Nissan Basingstoke, the programme has opened the door to a long-awaited career start. After completing her Diploma in Motorsport Maintenance at Basingstoke College of Technology, Clio found it difficult to break into the industry.
“I was told it would be tough because I’m female,” she comments.“Even when I found a role in a small garage, there was no clear development plan. Joining Yeomans through Autotech Academy gave me structure, support, and a proper pathway to build a career.”
Since starting in February, Clio has been fully embedded within the Yeomans team and mentored by a senior technician, gaining real-world experience every day:“We recently stripped a whole engine to fix an oil leak,” she says. “It’s exactly the hands-on work I’ve always wanted to do.”
As vehicles become increasingly technical, the demands on new technicians are greater than ever. From advanced diagnostics to electric and hybrid systems, workshops need future talent who are adaptable and eager to learn. With tailored development and support, Yeomans is ensuring that its interns are equipped to meet those challenges.
Doug, Aftersales Manager at Yeomans Nissan Basingstoke, has seen the value of the initiative first-hand: “Clio arrived with the right qualifications and a fantastic mindset. She’s made great progress and is already taking on more complex jobs. What’s really important is that the programme allows us to mould the interns to our standards – we’re not just filling gaps, we’re building long-term capability.
The industry needs to change how it views young people coming into the trade, especially women. These interns have already put themselves through college; they’ve shown the commitment. What they need now is the opportunity. With a bit of support and a proper structure, they can become the backbone of the workshop in the future.”
By adapting the Autotech Academy model to suit its internal structure and long-term recruitment strategy, Yeomans Nissan is not only addressing current staffing challenges – it’s investing in the
of the trade. As more dealerships follow suit, the model is quickly becoming a key solution to developing home-grown, workshop-ready talent across the UK.
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
