At Stoneacre, we are taking Toyota servicing to the next level across all seven of our garages.
The Toyota Talent programme enables us to develop our trainees with new servicing processes, boost productivity, and ensure our customers receive faster, more streamlined service.
Additionally, through significant innovations, such as ‘pit-stop’ servicing, we can dramatically reduce lead times while maintaining the high-quality service our customers expect.
It’s all about working smarter – and the results speak for themselves.
Investing in Future Talent
We’re not just thinking about today; we’re building for tomorrow.
Finding skilled technicians is a challenge, so we’re taking a proactive approach by nurturing talent from the ground up.
Our internship programme bridges the gap between newly qualified Level 3 automotive students and real-world employment, ensuring we stay ahead of the curve.
Steve Wood, our Regional Aftersales Manager, emphasised the importance of developing new talent:
“Finding qualified technicians is tough, but through our internship programme, we’re addressing this by growing our own. We’re preparing the next generation to transition seamlessly into roles, keeping our business agile as our experienced workforce begins to retire. It’s a continuous cycle of development.”
Toyota Talent and AutoTech Academy
A key driver of this initiative is our partnership with AutoTech Academy, which connects newly-qualified technicians with hands-on experience and structured support.
We’ve also joined forces with Toyota to launch the Toyota Talent programme, powered by AutoTech Academy, to tackle the industry-wide skills shortage.
So far, we’ve placed 10 AutoTech Academy interns across our sites, with many more to follow. These aren’t just placements – they’re the future of our workforce.
Building Talent from Within
We don’t just hire interns – we equip them with everything they need, from essential tools and uniforms to 6-12 month paid internships.
And the results speak for themselves: over 95% of our interns secure full-time roles after completing the programme.
With Toyota’s support, we also provide fit-for-work assessments, training, and regular webinars to ensure every technician is set up for success.
Jim Kay, our Regional Aftersales Performance Manager, shared his thoughts on the programme’s success:
“It’s crucial that everyone across the business is open to new recruitment strategies. By mentoring young talent, bringing in expert trainers, and creating growth opportunities, we’ve built a strong foundation. We can now say we’re truly developing our talent in-house.”
From Interns to Technicians
The impact of our programme is already evident, as Dean Upton, Aftersales Manager at Stoneacre Newcastle, explains:
“Our interns arrive with skills but no preconceived industry experience, making them ideal candidates. We can mould them into specific roles that align with our workshop goals, providing clear direction and structured training.”
Take Cameron Bell, for example – as our first intern at Newcastle, Cameron completed a seven-month internship before securing a full-time technician role.
Reflecting on his journey, Cameron enthused:
“The support behind the internship stood out to me. From the tools and uniform provided to the strong network that guided me through my first months, these are opportunities we wouldn’t have had without this programme.”
Fast-Tracking Success
We’ve already seen major wins at our Gateshead and Newcastle sites.
Our first technician joined Gateshead straight from the programme, and Newcastle recently welcomed a new Level 3 graduate.
But we’re not stopping there – we aim to place trainees at all seven of our garages by the end of the year.
And we’re accelerating training like never before.
A recent bootcamp at Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, fast-tracked our interns to Level 1 Technician status.
One participant even passed the assessment on the same day – a process that usually takes a year! That’s the kind of rapid progress we’re making.
Committed to Excellence
Our mission doesn’t stop at training.
We’re making real improvements across our operations through ‘pit-stop’ servicing. Modelled on motor racing pits, technicians work in pairs on a single ramp to perform tasks simultaneously.
By dividing the workload and synchronising efforts, we can complete multiple tasks at once, ensuring faster turnaround times without compromising service quality.
This helps us meet customer expectations for speed while maintaining the high standards of care and attention that Toyota vehicles require.
Steve Wood, Regional Aftersales Manager, highlighted the impact:
“Service times have been cut down to just 45 minutes. Not only are we meeting customer expectations for faster turnarounds, but we’re also accommodating more appointments. It’s a win-win for us and our customers.”
At Stoneacre, we’re redefining what it means to deliver exceptional service.
Through innovation, efficiency, and a relentless focus on technician development, we’re setting new standards in the automotive servicing sector. And this is just the beginning!