Talent Manager appointed to spearhead internship initiative

Stepping up its collaboration with The Toyota Motor Company, Autotech Academy has announced the appointment of a dedicated Toyota Talent Manager.

Positioned within Autotech Group’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, Terrell Lloyd-Conlon will spearhead the recently launched Toyota Talent Powered by Autotech Academy initiative which is set to see 100 young people secure an automotive career within 6 months.

Launched to support the motor company’s people strategy and ambition to increase the number of vehicle technicians working across its network, the initiative will be rolled out by Terrell to the 240 Toyota and Lexus Retailers located across the UK.

Acting as a conduit between the network and FE Colleges, Terrell will work with representatives from Toyota and Lexus to identify and interview college students who have recently qualified, or due to qualify, with a Level 3 automotive qualification as potential interns.

Each intern will receive a toolbox and uniform before being placed within a Toyota or Lexus dealership on a 6 month paid internship with a view to securing a permanent position at the end. 

Based upon the successful Autotech Academy concept, which sees newly qualified Level 3 automotive students placed into the industry as paid interns before securing permanent employment, Toyota Talent Powered by Autotech Academy, was tailored to meet the motor company’s needs exactly.  

It also supports the Toyota and Lexus’ people strategy and ambition to increase the number of vehicle technicians working across its network.

Terrell joins Autotech Academy as Toyota Talent Manager from Evans Halshaw Ford, Bedford where he held the position of a senior technician after joining the company as an apprentice at 17.

Keen to progress his career in a different direction but remain within the automotive industry, Terrell’s interest was piqued when he heard about Autotech Academy: “Through my experience of being an apprentice, I can empathise with young people looking to enter the automotive industry and support the transition from education to employment.

Despite the implementation of several initiatives to bring a new generation of talent into the business, I witnessed a lack of young people joining Evans Halshaw, Ford and witnessed the challenges which have arisen as a result of the skills shortage. During my time with them, I mentored a couple of young people on work experience so I understand the need for supporting the transition from education to full time employment and can empathise with both the intern and the employer.

I knew that, when deciding to take a slightly different career route, I wanted to generate new opportunities which would secure automotive career for a new generation of talent.  

Autotech Academy was a perfect fit for this. The prospect of working with a well-known and respected brand such as Toyota and Lexus was equally appealing. Everyone has heard of them! I am now excited to start meeting prospective interns and working with the Toyota and Lexus network to create as many opportunities as possible and fill the funnel with talent.”