Smart Fleet Solutions is partnering with the Careers Transition Partnership (CTP) and British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) to offer Service leavers careers in vehicle refurbishment and repair.

The partnerships have been developed to help former military personnel transition to civilian life and build fulfilling careers in the automotive industry.

As well as enabling Service leavers to build on their military skills and experience with the company, the initiative will also help to address the industry-wide shortage of skilled automotive technicians that exists across the UK.

Continually investing in the development of its people, Smart Fleet Solutions has developed a training academy with Martec Training and the Morelli Group, which is unique in the industry.

Designed to ensure its technicians are able to employ all the latest tools and techniques, Smart Fleet Solutions’ focus on training is accompanied by its commitment to continuous professional development, with promotion and career progression opportunities regularly arising across its technical centres in Wiltshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Scotland.

Through the partnerships with CTP and BFRS the company will be sharing information online and via web chats designed to highlight the opportunities available in the vehicle refurbishment sector in general and at Smart Fleet Solutions in particular, as well as meeting Service leavers in person at recruitment fairs around the country.

Smart Fleet Solutions’ managing director Theo Kortland said: “We’re proud to already employ a number of ex-Service personnel, who tell us they value the emphasis on teamwork within our culture and the family feel to the business.

"In turn, we appreciate the skills and experience they’re able to bring to our company and their willingness to share those skills by mentoring next generation of technicians.

“We’re delighted to take this important next step to encourage Service leavers to harness their passion for the automotive industry and their military skills to create new careers with us and to help deliver high quality in-life vehicle repairs and refurbishments, as well as de-fleeting services, for our customers.”