AWARD-WINNING SOUTH TYNESIDE DEALERSHIP TEAM EXPANDS

An award-winning car dealership in the North East is celebrating over 40 years in business - and has expanded its team due to continued growth.

Vic Young, on Newcastle Road in South Shields, has taken on eight new members of staff to meet an increased demand in business across its car sales, mobility, conversions, fleet and servicing departments.

Mark Johns has joined the conversion bodybuilding team, which develops unique conversions for various specialist vehicles including those for full Motability Approval.

Mark said: “In my previous job I was on the production line doing the same jobs continuously and was looking for a new challenge. Since working at Vic Young I have worked on a variety of jobs which has been a great learning experience and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”

Lois Duffy has been appointed to support the servicing team. Lois will be handling telephone and online queries, along with carrying out general administration duties.

Lois added: “Working in an admin role was something that I wanted to do after leaving school. I applied for the apprenticeship with Vic Young as the company is highly regarded in the area. Although the work is challenging at times I am enjoying my apprenticeship which has allowed me to gain valuable skills I can use in the future.”

Alex Skelly has been appointed Digital Marketing Apprentice to support the firm’s digital strategy.

Alex said “I decided to complete my apprenticeship at Vic Young as I had heard great things through other employees working at the company. The role of Digital Marketing Apprentice is new to the company and I see taking on this challenge a fantastic opportunity.”

Cameron Walton, Jack Langley, David Howe and Caillin Greer are also welcome additions to the team as mechanics, while Rachael Skelly joins as an administration assistant.

Managing director Vic Young, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the motor trade, said: “Taking on the Mitsubishi franchise was an exciting step for the business and I’m happy to say it has been very successful for us. It’s fantastic that both existing and new customers have really bought into the brand and this has led to the expansion of our team.

“Our new starters bring a variety of skills and experience with them and we are sure they will all be successful here. As part of our recruitment process, we have worked with Sunderland based Milltech, an independent training organisation and Rising Star, a youth recruitment and training business to appoint on six apprentices in technical and administration roles. At Vic Young, we nurture our talent, giving young people the opportunity to be a part of our business, and develop and grow with us. This, combined with training at college, means they will play an integral part in our future growth.”

Vic Young (South Shields) Ltd is a well-renowned business, with a portfolio that includes Vic Young Mobility, a specialist Motability division that supplies cars, adaptations and wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and Vic Young Conversions, which carries out vehicle conversions. It is also an approved Nissan Warranty and Service centre, and an approved accident and repair centre.

Over the last four decades, Vic Young has been a champion of the local community in South Tyneside and the wider North East, and has supported a number of businesses, charities and private individuals. This commitment to the region was recognised at the North East Business Awards 2016 grand final where the firm was awarded the Heart of the Community trophy.