The Association of Fleet Professionals is calling on experienced fleet managers to help deliver a new apprenticeship standard for fleet specialists.

AFP chair Paul Hollick said having a fleet specialist apprenticeship standard would be a huge boost to the industry

It’s looking for up to 20 individuals to form a “trailblazing” group that will create an apprenticeship standard, working alongside the Institute for Apprenticeships.

AFP member Matt Neale, who’s heading up the apprenticeship drive, said the scheme would help drive new talent through to the fleet sector at a time when there are real risks of skills being lost.

“Currently, the issue is we just don’t have enough talent coming through at the entry level to create a succession process and replace the many experienced fleet professionals who are within a few years of retiring. Knowledge and experience are in danger of being lost from our industry and the apprenticeship could be an important step in preventing this.”

Once content for the scheme is approved, participating fleets will be expected to recruit apprentices into their organisation.

Neale continued: “So far, we have eight fleet managers and their companies willing to make this pledge, but we need another 10 or more in order to get the final go-ahead for the apprenticeship. We’re therefore very keen to hear from people and their employers who are interested in taking part.”

The plan is for apprentice recruitment to start in 2025, giving companies time to make plans and get funding approved internally – but the AFP is asking for commitment to the scheme now.

Initially, the apprenticeship is likely to be Level 3, designed to provide an entry point into the sector, appealing mainly to school and college leavers.

“We need administrators to start the journey into the fleet sector because they are integral to the daily running of fleets. Once they have completed their apprenticeship, they can progress towards becoming a fleet manager, which is where the AFP’s structured range of training courses can help develop individuals. This is the journey that I have taken through the industry.”

Paul Hollick, AFP chair, said the creation of a fleet specialist apprenticeship standard would be a huge boost to the industry.

“While there are many highly qualified and capable fleet managers in our sector, supported by training and qualifications available through the AFP Fleet Academy, this is not a profession with a recognised entry route. Having an apprenticeship would change that and provide a structured career path into the fleet sector.

“In the future, especially as fleet managers continue to evolve into mobility specialists, an apprenticeship could sit alongside career choices in other corporate specialisms such as human resources and procurement, providing a steady stream of talented individuals into the sector.”

Hollick added that while the AFP was playing an ‘enabling role’, the creation of any new initiative needed to be almost entirely reliant on industry participation.

“This is very much a question of employers putting their money where their mouths are. If the industry wants a fleet apprenticeship standard – and we believe it needs one – there must be a group of businesses willing to participate in the process and ultimately create jobs, putting in place the support, resources and mechanisms that apprentices need.

He added: “Much of the work so far has been done on an individual basis by Matt Neale, working with other members of our organisation, so much kudos to him.”

Anyone interested in becoming part of the group should get in touch with the AFP at [email protected].