THOSE looking for a career working on a variety of vehicles – from classic cars to vans and trucks – can apply for a new apprenticeship thanks to a Cheshire manufacturer.

Tiger Trailers, based in Winsford, has opened applications for a unique new coachbuilding apprenticeship in partnership with Heritage Skills Academy.

It offers apprentices the opportunity to gain skills working on classic cars, vans, motorcycles, trucks and other vehicles at Brooklands Museum and Bicester Heritage.

The new Heritage engineering technician apprenticeship in classic vehicle coachbuilding combines ‘old-school skills with cutting-edge technology’.

Working with highly specialist teams, apprentices will be taught about the history and development of materials and vehicle construction, hand skills, design and pattern development while working with composite materials, welding, fabrication including bending, folding, creating jigs and frames, and the removal and replacement of components.

There are 12 places available through Tiger Trailers, and the resulting heritage engineering technician (HET) level three apprenticeship qualification awarded by HSA at the end of the 42-month course is a nationally recognised certification.

Employment with Tiger Trailers in a skilled role is guaranteed to apprentices graduating from the programme, with the prospect of a long-term career with progression opportunities including managerial roles.

Abigail Lee, HR manager at Tiger Trailers, says: “We are extremely proud to be able to offer this unique, exciting and highly specialised new apprenticeship, which gives the next generation of trailer coachbuilders an incomparable opportunity to learn at iconic sites like Bicester Heritage and Brooklands while surrounded by classic vehicles of all sizes right up to airplanes including Concorde.

“Tiger has always been passionate about apprenticeships, and we hope that our new partnership with HSA will lead to other exciting developments in the future while ensuring that our products are built to the highest standards, alongside the strong benefits we offer and our active part in local education and community.

A starting salary of £12,506 is offered and the apprenticeship is delivered on a block release basis, with enrolees attending HSA’s academy at Brooklands in Surrey on average every five weeks for a five-day block of training running from Monday to Friday.

The remaining 80 per cent of the time is spent working in Tiger Trailers’ 168,000 sq. ft, state-of-the-art and modern trailer manufacturing facility, with the firm covering accommodation and travel costs during training.

Applications close in early September, with an anticipated course start date of October.

Visit tigertrailers.co.uk/apprentices.