The Accessor Winter 2025 Web - Flipbook - Page 19
APPRENTICESHIP
CENTRAL LAUNCH A VDA
APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAMME
Vehicle Damage Assessors (VDAs) are the backbone of every successful bodyshop, playing a vital role in ensuring precision,
ef昀椀ciency, and customer satisfaction, said Apprenticeship Central, launching a VDA Apprenticeship Programme to “pave the
way for aspiring professionals to step into the industry with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to lead the charge
toward innovation and excellence”.
Eleanor Baker Barnes, Director at Apprenticeship Central,
said:
“After a successful trial phase, we are thrilled to announce
that we will soon have a group of quality VDA apprenticeship
candidates ready to place into suitable bodyshops.
“We’re excited to unveil the next phase of our apprenticeship
offerings. Through our Recruit and Retain programmes,
our mission is to help equip apprentices with the skills and
con昀椀dence they need to excel in a rapidly evolving industry
while contributing to a more sustainable and innovative
future.”
This initiative is designed to address critical skills gaps
while fostering a culture of innovation among apprentices.
Apprenticeship Central is committed to preparing
apprentices not just for their roles today, but for a future 昀椀lled
with opportunity and progress.
“Our apprenticeships are not just about developing skills,”
Eleanor added “they are about shaping the leaders of
tomorrow’s bodyshop world. The recent changes to Level 2
English and maths quali昀椀cations create new opportunities for
a wider talent pool and we look forward to welcoming a new
wave of apprentices who will undoubtedly leave a lasting
impact on the industry.”
The programme is designed to support both new and current
team members, equipping them with the skills they need to
thrive.
Email enquire@apprenticeship-central.co.uk to register
your interest in hiring new apprentices and enrol current staff
members into the VDA Apprenticeship Programme.
We’re Hiring!
We are looking for a External Automotive Claims Engineer (M25 Area)
Direct Line Group is one of the top tier motor, home and small business insurers in the UK and home to some of the nation’s
best-known brands: Direct Line, Churchill, Privilege and Green Flag. Our mission is to make insurance easier and better value for customers.
About Us:
At Direct Line Group, insurance is just the start. Combining decades of industry experience with talented
people in every 昀椀eld from data, technology, customer care and auto repair, to HR, 昀椀nance and procurement , we’re a customer-obsessed market powerhouse. And we all work together to be brilliant for
customers, every single day.
We currently have an exciting opportunity to join our team of 昀椀eld based engineers with vacancies in our
External Automotive Claims Team, on full-time and permanent basis.
PLEASE NOTE: If not based within M25, you must live within commutable distance from M25 in order to
be considered for this opportunity.
What you will be doing:
You will provide an inspection service and technical support to the claims functions, inspecting all claimant’s vehicles within agreed service level timeframes. You will be responsible for the delivery of 昀椀nancial
performance, meeting business and customer expectations with focus on time, effort and quality and
cost management.
• Ensuring that the customer experience is at the heart of everything you do, treating customers fairly
at all times.
• Use appropriate judgement to deliver excellent customer performance in line with the Direct Line
Group values and strategy
• Support the delivery and management of the AD spend
• Identify, own, and manage the risks involved in running our business appropriate to your role,
interacting with the appropriate internal and external contacts.
• Ensure opportunities and threats are managed proactively and in line with the Group Risk Framework
minimum standards.
• Collaborate with your colleagues and the wider business to drive the correct outcome for DLG and our
customers.
• Develop self to maximise your full potential in the role
What we are looking for:
• Applicants must have previously worked in the Automotive industry, undertaking similar duties,
either as a Motor Insurance Engineer or Vehicle Damage Assessor and having a minimum of NVQ3 in
Automotive Repair or similar
• ATA VDA quali昀椀cations are desirable
• Applicants should also have a good understanding of Thatcham Escribe and Audatex software, along
with good knowledge of vehicle repair techniques and motor insurance claims processes
Hours: 35 hours (Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm)
Location: Inside M25 Area
What we’ll give you
We wouldn’t be where we are today without our people and the wide variety of perspectives and life
experiences they bring. That’s why we offer excellent bene昀椀ts to suit your lifestyle and a 昀氀exible working
model combining the best parts of home and of昀椀ce-working, varying with the nature of your role.
Core bene昀椀ts include:
• Generous 9% employer pension. Regardless of whether you contribute into your pension or not, DLG
pay 9% into your pension (but you can take this as cash if you want!)
• Company car allowance
• 22 holiday days (plus public holidays). Plus an option of buying or selling up to 5 holiday days each
year!
• 50% off motor, home and pet insurance
• Free travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover
• Electric Vehicle car scheme which allows all colleagues to lease a brand new electric or plug-in hybrid
car in a tax ef昀椀cient way
• Buy-as-you-earn share scheme
• Employee discounts and cashback
Being yourself
Direct Line Group is an equal opportunity employer, and we think diversity of background and thinking
is a big strength in our people. We're delighted to feature as one of the UK's Top 50 Inclusive Employers
and are committed to making our business an inclusive place to work, where everyone can be themselves and succeed in their careers.
We know you're more than a CV, and the things that make you, you, are what bring potential to our
business. We recognise and embrace people that work in different ways so if you need any adjustments
to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.
For more information or to apply please visit our careers website www.directlinegroupcareers.com
Search job number R-18212 External Automotive Claims Engineer (M25 Area)
www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor | WINTER 2025 | THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL
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