UCS College Group is proud to announce a new partnership with Halfords, becoming the designated regional training provider for their Auto Care apprentices across the South West.
In late 2024, Halfords approached UCS College Group to explore collaboration opportunities, leading to a series of successful meetings and assessments at our Taunton College. From over 400 applicants, 18 talented apprentices have now been selected to begin their careers on the Level 2 Auto Care Technician programme.
Delivered over 24 months in an intensive block release model (one week at college every three weeks), the programme equips apprentices with the skills and knowledge required to maintain and service a full range of vehicles, including hybrid and electric cars. This ensures Halfords Autocentres continue to provide customers with a reliable, future-ready service.
The apprentices, drawn from locations across the South West including Gloucester, Cheltenham, Warminster, Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater, Taunton, Weymouth, Redruth, Salisbury, Trowbridge, and Poole, are supported with residential accommodation at the UCS College Group Cannington College with daily transport to Taunton.
Why Taunton College?
Halfords selected Taunton College for its state-of-the-art training environment: a 12-ramp workshop equipped with the latest Snap-on tools and a dedicated IMI-assessed testing centre for final practical evaluations. Alongside Halfords, UCS College Group continues to support apprentices from local independent garages, many of which are long-standing partners who were once trained here themselves.
John Wake, Business and Relationship manager for the Automotive Industry said:
UCS College Group, in partnership with Halfords, is delighted to welcome 18 Auto Care students as the inaugural cohort of this exciting collaboration. This milestone reflects our shared commitment to developing future talent within the automotive industry, with further expansion of the programme planned for 2026.
