Is The Co-operative Motor Group’s Chris Apprentice of the Year?

A 19 year old apprentice from The Co-operative Motor Group Nissan Ilkeston has made it to the national finals of Nissan’s Apprentice of the Year award.

Chris Raffle, of Ilkeston, Nottingham, is one of only eight Nissan apprentices nationally to have been shortlisted for the award, judged on the quality of his work, output, his performance during training, his behaviour and an overall recommendation by his training officer.

He now faces a head-to-head with the other seven finalists at Doncaster’s Nissan Training Centre on May 8, where they will compete on a number of pre-set tasks, including recognising faults on vehicles and carrying out inspections.

If he wins, Chris will be awarded the coverted Apprentice of the Year title and specialist tools that include a multimeter, torque wrench and gifts from Snap-On tools and Nissan (Motor) GB Ltd.

Ian Oldershaw, apprentice programme manager at Nissan, said: “Our apprentices take part in 20 weeks’  residential training at our Doncaster training centre over three years. Their training officer also visits them at their place of work, so they get to know one another very well.

“Chris should be proud to be shortlisted from 40 apprentices this year and should feel confident in his career as he has progressed well in training and has been officially recognised for his standard of work.”

Chris said working hard at the training centre and at work had given him the knowledge and ability to complete servicing/maintenance diagnostic work to a high standard.

“Being nominated for the competition proves that my hard work is paying off. I’m looking forward to giving it my best on May8.”

Jon Battison, dealer principal at the The Co-operative Motor Group dealership on Derby Road said it was ‘no surprise’ that Chris had been nominated for the competition.

“He works well and is self-motivated, courteous and highly thought of by other members of our excellent service and repair workshop team. We will all be rooting for him on May 8."