ROGER’S OFF TO A FLYING START

Three years of hard work and training have paid off for Roger Gibbons after he graduated from his technician apprenticeship with Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen.

The 21-year-old joined the Salford retailer straight from school, but had to wait two years before an opportunity to join the apprenticeship programme, in order to become a fully-qualified Volkswagen technician.

To celebrate his achievement Roger was invited to a national awards ceremony in recognition of his graduation.

He now faces another year of on-the-job training to polish his skills in Gilbert Lawton’s Bridgwater Way after-sales workshop.

Gilbert Lawton’s after sales manager, Steve Keenan, said: “Roger has worked exceptionally hard during his apprenticeship to become a skillful Volkswagen technician; he will be a brilliant asset to the team.”

Roger said: “I’m so pleased to have completed my apprenticeship. All I have ever wanted to do is work with cars and I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to become a specialised technician.

“I’m very grateful to Gilbert Lawton and Volkswagen for investing their time and money in me so I can do a job I want to do.”

To date Gilbert Lawton has invested £40,000 training Roger to technician standard and will continue to invest their time and money so he can progress to the next step and become a master technician.

Roger’s next challenge to qualify as a master technician will take approximately six years of further training.