New jobs created as BT expands garage operation in Maidstone
BT has expanded services at its garage in the New Hythe Business Park, Aylesford, Maidstone, creating new jobs and paving the way for future recruitment.
The garage is part of the BT Fleet 500-strong garage network, of which 65 are owned outright by the company.It has been selected as one of a very strictly limited number of approved privatised testing providers for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). New equipment and an upgrade to facilities means the garage is now an Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and large goods vehicles (LGVs) in addition to the many services already offered for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and cars.
This investment has already led to a new full-time receptionist and new technician being recruited at the garage. UK-wide BT Fleet is currently recruiting 50 mechanical motor technicians and also plans to recruit around 40 new apprentices next year to join teams across the garage network.
Sixteen people are currently employed at the Maidstonesite, which services and repairs vehicles for many well-known local companies, such as MC Rental, Seymour – Self Drive Hire & Storage and Haynes Ford dealer.
Mark Wolfe, BT Fleet’s head of garages service UK,said: "We pride ourselves on recognising and responding to customer demand and following a recent reduction in Authorised Testing Facility locations by the DVSA it was becoming increasingly challenging for local fleets to find convenient test centres.
“This investment here at the Maidstone site has enabled us to offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ solution. Local businesses whether large organisations or small enterprises, can now come to us for everything from new tyres right through to annual testing of HGVs.
“It has also led to the creation oftwo full time jobs and we hope that there will be further recruitment down the line as word gets out about the new services on offer.”
Stacey King, BT’s regional manager for the South East, added: “This is good news for Maidstone. As well as continuing to invest in our operations in the town we are also expanding the services we offer to local businesses, which will hopefully cut their travel time for both routine maintenance and annual vehicle checks, ultimately saving them time and money.”
For more information on the range of fleet services and solutions from BT Fleet, visit www.btfleet.com or email sales@btfleet.com.
