Ron Brooks Toyota Mansfield has taken on three new trainee customer consultants as part of its continued investment into apprenticeships.

India McFadyen, (21), of Mansfield, Alex Pearson, (22) of Clipstone, and Nikita Lane, (26), of Forest Town, have been accepted on to the programme, which is backed by the manufacturer.

Training will take place at Toyota’s new state-of-the-art facility at its flagship UK factory in Burnaston, Derby.

The scheme, which includes nine modules over two years, aims to bring new talent into the Toyota brand, training them in customer service and communication skills as well learning the sales process.

The trainees will initially work towards a bronze accreditation, before moving through silver and eventually graduate to gold by the end of their second year.

Mike Lane, centre principal at Ron Brooks Mansfield, said: “For many years we have successfully run apprenticeship schemes for vehicle technicians and parts advisers, so it is with pleasure we launch the trainee customer consultant programme.

“There is a shortage of females in the motor retail industry and it is refreshing to have such genuine enthusiasm shown by all three.

“We weren’t looking for three recruits but such was the impression they made we decided to take them all on.”

The company also operates the training programme at its Ilkeston Toyota dealership, where trainee Ben Edmonds has completed his first full year of training.