Renault Trucks expands apprenticeship programme with four new career pathways

Renault Trucks UK is expanding its apprenticeship programme across the dealer network with four new career pathways spanning van technician, parts, customer service, and sales, as it steps up its investment in developing the next generation of commercial vehicle talent.

The new programmes build on Renault Trucks’ established Heavy Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship and broaden opportunities across the dealership, giving the network new routes to recruit and develop people for roles that are critical to workshop productivity, aftersales performance and the customer experience.

Delivered in partnership with GTG Training, the four new apprenticeships began rolling out in September 2026 and will continue through to 2027, with recruitment for 2027 apprentices due to open shortly. Where numbers allow, GTG Training will run dedicated Renault Trucks cohorts, with training tailored to Renault Trucks’ brand standards and the needs of its dealer network.

Angie Morgan, HR & Competence Development Director, Renault Trucks UK & Ireland, says: “The skills needs of our dealer network extend right across the business, so we want to create more ways for talented people to enter the industry, develop recognised skills, and build a long-term career with Renault Trucks.

“By broadening our apprenticeship programme beyond the traditional heavy vehicle technician route, our dealers can grow talent in the areas where they need it most. At the same time, apprentices have a clear route into a sector that offers tremendous variety and opportunities for progression.

“This is a long-term investment in the strength of our network. Developing people from the outset helps us build the technical knowledge, customer focus and commercial understanding our businesses will need in the years ahead.”

Four routes into the dealer network

The Van Technician Apprenticeship is a two-year Level 2 Autocare Technician programme, with the option to progress into a further year at Level 3 Light Vehicle Technician. Apprentices develop practical skills across vehicle servicing and maintenance, braking, steering and suspension, electrical systems, and vehicle safety, alongside introductory knowledge of hybrid and electric vehicle technology.

Training is structured around workplace learning and block release at the Renault Trucks UK Training Academy in Whetstone, Leicestershire, where apprentices spend a week at the beginning of each learning cycle before applying their new skills within their dealership.

The Parts Apprenticeship, based on the Level 2 Trade Supplier standard, runs for approximately 12 to 15 months and is designed for people working in dealership parts departments, trade counters and distribution environments. It combines parts and stock knowledge with customer service, sales, logistics, digital systems and workplace compliance.

A new Level 2 Customer Service Apprenticeship will develop customer-facing employees across the network. The programme covers communication, understanding customer needs, digital systems, teamwork, complaint handling and professional conduct, with apprentices applying their learning directly within their truck centre throughout the programme.

The Sales Apprenticeship will provide a route into vehicle sales, further extending the programme across the commercial functions of the dealer network.

Building on investment at Whetstone

The expanded programme follows the opening of the purpose-built Renault Trucks UK Training Academy at Whetstone in January 2025, a major investment in the development of apprentice and technician skills across the network.

The Academy includes a fully equipped workshop capable of accommodating up to seven vehicles, alongside four flexible classrooms and dedicated practical training equipment, providing a manufacturer-specific environment for apprentices and experienced technicians.

Mandla Ndhlovu, Renault Trucks Technical Academy Manager UK & Ireland, says “Whetstone has given us a dedicated environment where apprentices can learn using Renault Trucks vehicles, technology and systems, and then take that knowledge back into the workplace and put it into practice.

“Since opening the Academy, we have seen how valuable that combination of manufacturer training and day-to-day dealer experience can be. Apprentices are learning in an environment that reflects the vehicles and technology they will encounter throughout their careers.

“The new van programme is an important extension of that approach. As vehicle technology continues to develop, we need to make sure the skills pipeline develops with it, giving apprentices the foundations they need today as well as a route to continue progressing in the future.”

Renault Trucks’ existing Heavy Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship remains part of the programme, offering a three-year route into a qualified technical career. Apprentices are employed within Renault Trucks dealerships and combine hands-on workshop experience with structured training at Whetstone.

Developing future careers

Renault Truck’s expansion of its programmes comes from success across their current apprenticeships, developing talent and building long term careers.

William Wood, who completed a Renault Trucks apprenticeship in 2025 and is now a LCV Sales Executive at RH Commercials said,

“I started this apprenticeship with no prior knowledge or experience in the commercial vehicle industry, and very little sales experience. By the end of the qualification, I had built a very strong foundation of industry, product, and organisational knowledge to take forward into my career.”

“My favourite aspect of the apprenticeship was the mix of studying as well as on the job training. I found it highly beneficial to have training days and complete coursework that I could then apply to the everyday job.”

“By the end of the apprenticeship, I was already independently meeting with customers, selling vehicles, and overseeing customer orders. RH Commercial vehicles supported me throughout the qualification and upon qualifying, I moved into the full-time LCV sales role. Renault Trucks are an amazing company to work for and continue to support my growth and future career beyond completing the apprenticeship.”

Further information about Renault Trucks apprenticeships and current opportunities is available at Renault Trucks Apprenticeships | Renault Trucks UK