LKQ Euro Car Parts launches young talent programme

LKQ Euro Car Parts marked National Apprenticeship Week 2026 earlier this month with the launch of a new initiative designed to help independent garages recruit, train and retain the next generation of automotive talent.

The LKQ Young Talent Programme, delivered in partnership with apprenticeship specialists Apprenticeship Central, aims to remove the barriers that often prevent workshops from taking on apprentices – from the administrative burden and difficulty finding suitable candidates to concerns around early drop-out.

The programme combines end-to-end apprentice recruitment from Apprenticeship Central with LKQ Academy-led professional development and engagement, including a dedicated pre-employment Summer Bootcamp designed to prepare apprentices for the realities of workshop life before they start.

Once the apprentice is in post, employers can also benefit from ongoing retention support, regular progress reviews and continued development through the LKQ Academy and Apprenticeship Central, as well as networking opportunities across the apprenticeship community.

Open to all automotive aftermarket businesses across the UK and Ireland, including non-LKQ customers, the initiative is designed to sit alongside formal apprenticeship training rather than replace it. This allows employers to remain fully in control of who they employ and where apprentices are trained, while still benefiting from structured recruitment and onboarding.

It is also designed to deliver clear commercial value for employers. Employer recruitment cost are covered by the £1,000 government payment available for employers in England when they take-on an apprentice aged 16–18. In addition, apprenticeship training costs are fully funded by government for apprentices aged 16–21 at non-levy paying employers in England (businesses with an annual pay bill of under £3 million).

Matt Robinson, B2B Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: “It’s clear that the key challenge in delivering apprenticeship programmes is not a lack of willingness from employers, but concerns over their ability to manage the process alongside day-to-day operations.

“This programme tackles those issues head-on, ensuring apprentices are better prepared before day one and have the right support once they’re in the business – allowing both the technician and the apprentice to spend more time on the garage floor.”

Lee Chapman, Head of Support and LKQ Academy, said: “Through LKQ Academy, we’ve always been focused on building real capability in the aftermarket to help people feel confident, supported and proud of the work they do.

“The Young Talent Programme is a natural extension of this commitment. It gives apprentices a stronger start, and it gives employers the structure and community around them to help young technicians stay the course and thrive.”

Eleanor Baker Barnes, Commercial Director at Apprenticeship Central, said: “The impact of the ongoing skills shortage on the automotive aftermarket is well documented. The Young Talent Programme is about taking a practical, industry-led approach to tackling this by helping workshops build a reliable pipeline of future technicians. It also gives apprentices the right start and support they need to succeed long term. This works not only for the individual businesses but is essential for the health of the sector as a whole. Working with LKQ allows us to deliver this at scale, while keeping employers firmly in control of their apprenticeship journey.”

The Young Talent Programme is now live, with recruitment opening immediately for the first cohort. Employers can register their interest by speaking to their LKQ Account Manager or contacting Apprenticeship Central directly.

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