LKQ recently hosted a group of apprentices at the LKQ Academy in Tamworth for a dedicated ‘Introduction to Sustainability’ training day. The event followed the successful inaugural Apprentice Breakfast Club, run with the National Bodyshop Repair Association (NBRA) and Ageas UK, which focused on tackling the industry’s skills gap.
The training day was delivered by Lee Berridge, Head of Technical & Sustainability – Bodyshop Division at LKQ, along with in-house technical experts. The agenda blended classroom learning with practical, hands-on activities to clearly demonstrate how sustainable practices can be applied to products, processes, and equipment in a bodyshop. Apprentices also gained a stronger understanding of how their individual actions contribute to wider environmental goals.
Apprentices from companies including SmartXpress, FA Mid Devon, PJ Rhodes, and Pro Group Repairs attended. To conclude the day, each apprentice had the chance to put their learning into practice by working on their own panel, turning insight into action.
Feedback from the attendees was positive, with many expressing how much they enjoyed the day and admitted they had not fully understood the meaning of sustainability in a bodyshop setting until then. One apprentice reflected: “I had no idea roll priming was such a sustainable process compared to traditional high-build priming: it’s eye-opening.”
Jodie Mullard, Director of Customer Strategy at LKQ, said: “We are super proud to be able to offer this free training. Investing in apprentices is investing in the future of our industry… Embedding sustainability into their learning early on will not only set them apart but also give them the confidence to take positive steps towards building a more resilient and responsible industry.”
The day forms part of LKQ’s commitment to inspiring the next generation and driving a more sustainable future for the automotive repair industry.
For more information on LKQ’s ‘Introduction to Sustainability in the Bodyshop’ course, please visit here.