Apprentice Chris Wins National Award

A teenage apprentice from The Co-operative Motor Group Nissan Ilkeston has scooped bronze medal in the national finals of Nissan’s Apprentice of the Year award.

Chris Raffle, of Ilkeston, Nottingham, took third ranking after being the only apprentice in Derbyshire to make it through to the national competition at Doncaster’s Nissan Training Centre.

Today the 19-year-old, described as “self-motivated, courteous and highly thought of” was back at work at the The Co-operative Motor Group dealership on Derby Road after winning a framed certificate, a selection of tools donated by Snap On, and a Nissan goody bag.

“I think third place out of a potential 40 nationally is a great achievement,” he said. “I wanted to become a mechanic because I’m passionate about working with cars and I wanted a practical career. Working at the training centre and at work has given me the knowledge and ability to complete servicing/maintenance diagnostic work to a high standard and I feel pleased with myself that all the hard work has paid off. It is a great boost for my confidence that it’s been recognised I can carry out work to a very high standard.”

Nissan apprentices undergo 20 weeks’ residential training at the Doncaster centre over three years, during which time their training officer also visits them regularly at their place of work.Chris made it to the finals after being judged on the quality of his work, output, his performance during training, his behaviour and an overall recommendation by his training officer.

He then competed head-to-head with seven other hopefuls on a series of challenging written and practical tests designed to reflect current market procedures, supported on the day by his parents and The Co-operative Motor Group service manager Mark Boot.

Dealer principal Jon Battison said “All credit to him for his determination, commitment and dedication to The Co-operative Motor Group,” he said. “He has done extremely well throughout his apprenticeship programme and it’s great to see this has been recognised outside of the dealership too.”

But Jon said it was no coincidence that other apprentices from The Co-operative Motor Group Nissan Ilkeston had previously made it to the national finals. “I think Chris’s success also pays tribute to the hard work and support of all our expert technicians who are dedicated to helping our apprentices become the best in the country.”

The Nissan Advanced Apprenticeship Programme is run by Nottingham-based Valley Forge, specialist supplier of support services to automotive industry, who also organised the competition and awards ceremony.