Arnold Clark Employee Collects Top Award From The Prince's Trust Scotland

Arnold Clark employee Jane Kerr proudly accepted a top award this week from The Prince's Trust Scotland. Part of the Trust's annual Celebrate Success event, Jane won the Leadership Award for pioneering the Get into Cars programme run by The Prince's Trust and Arnold Clark. Jane, from Newton Mearns, was the brainchild behind the Get into Cars programme and was responsible for all aspects of training and placement activity at Arnold Clark. Her pivotal role included guiding 12 candidates through a five week programme, helping The Prince's Trust achieve its goal of eradicating 3rd generation unemployment.

Honoured in the presence of 300 guests at a glamorous awards ceremony in Edinburgh, Jane, delighted with her win, said, "I am still in shock. Just to be nominated was a huge honour having only been in this role since last year. I am over the moon and only pleased I was able to help others achieve their dreams." The "Get into Cars" programme is an innovative five week programme aimed at giving young people an overview of the car industry and the chance to learn new skills to help them find employment.

Based at Arnold Clark's training centre of excellence, GTG, trainees were put through their paces by a series of learning objectives. Practical classes, led by some of GTG's most experienced trainers, combined with theory based tutorials on the basics of motor mechanics, gave the trainees a chance to train before going on a one week placement to one of the Arnold Clark branches. Impressed by the progress the trainees made in such a short time, Arnold Clark offered eight of the trainees positions within the company and sponsored the new recruits through the Motor Vehicle
Modern Apprenticeship programme.

Sir Arnold Clark, chairman and chief executive, said, "The work Jane has carried out as part of the Get into Cars programme has been outstanding and this accolade is duly awarded to her. As a company, we realise the difference our support can make to the lives of individuals and organisations, and as we have the facilities and training to deliver a course like Get into Cars, it was an obvious choice. Jane's enthusiasm was the driving force behind the project, ensuring the Trust and Arnold Clark worked seamlessly together and ensuring success for the trainees."

For further information on The Prince's Trust Scotland visit www.princes-trust.org.uk.