Fleet Apprentices at Via East Midlands have been given a headstart in their learning with the donation of two vehicles from Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The vans, which previously formed part of fleets managed by Via for each of the organisations, will be used solely to enable Via’s four fleet apprentices to gain knowledge and experience in vehicle maintenance and repair.

To ensure the apprentices can use every available learning opportunity, Via’s Fleet Chargehand and Master Technician, Marcellus Munjemu, developed a comprehensive training programme, enabling them to get hands-on experience with vehicles dedicated solely to their learning.

Helen Walker, Fleet Services Team Manager for Via, said: “We are extremely grateful to both Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service for the donation of the vehicles.

“It is vital that our apprentices get as much experience as possible across the full range of vehicle repair and maintenance activities.

“That isn’t always easy in day-to-day work, but having the two vehicles combined with the training programme allows us to give comprehensive experience to the apprentices in a controlled learning environment, giving them the best possible start to their careers in the sector.”

Coun John Cottee, Chairman of the Communities and Place Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are pleased to be able to donate one of our vehicles to help young people develop further in the fleet maintenance and repair industry.

“Hands-on experience is crucial to apprenticeships and I am sure that the use of both vehicles as part of the training programme will prove invaluable.

“Being able to learn while gaining first-hand experience will no doubt see these young people excel towards their chosen career, and Nottinghamshire County Council is proud to have played a role in this.”

Terry Scott, Head of Procurement and Resources for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “The van in question had been a faithful servant to the fire service but had come to the end of its useful life.

“It had been at Via’s Bilsthorpe workshops for a while awaiting disposal, so when we were approached by Via asking if we were willing to donate it so that four new apprentices could use it for training purposes, we were delighted to oblige.

“I hope the vehicle will prove useful in helping the apprentices through their training and on to a successful career in the future.”

Via’s fleet services team are vastly experienced in delivering fleet maintenance services to over 600 vehicles across both Via’s own specialist highways fleet and Nottinghamshire County Council’s fleet which provides key services such as schools transport and meals on wheels, as well as external customers.

Via’s fleet services are primarily delivered from Via’s extensive workshop facility at Bilsthorpe, along with Via’s new workshop located at Unit 7, Castle Park Estate in Nottingham. Both sites are open to the general public as well as commercial companies

Via offers HGV, PSV, LGV and MOT testing, as well serving and repairs for all types of vehicles, including electric vehicles, and repairs and maintenance for plant machinery.