Fix Auto UK welcomes record apprentice intake as expansion continues in Enniskillen

Fix Auto UK has announced its largest ever apprenticeship intake, welcoming 52 new recruits as part of its 2025 programme – a milestone in the network’s 20-year history.

Delivered in partnership with Apprenticeship Central, the initiative sees the new apprentices join over 200 others already developing their careers across the Fix Auto UK network. The cohort spans 29 Franchise Partner sites and includes roles in paint, panel, MET, vehicle damage assessment, customer service, and administration.

Among the standout success stories is Fix Auto Loughborough, which has recruited six apprentices across a variety of roles, highlighting both the breadth of opportunity and the commitment of individual sites to investing in talent.

Each apprentice will be supported throughout their journey by Apprenticeship Central, working closely with bodyshop managers and business owners. An official on-boarding event will take place at 3M’s UK headquarters in Bracknell on 9 October, bringing the full group together for the first time.

Ian Pugh, Managing Director for the Advantage Group of Companies, commented: “We are extremely proud to welcome this record number of apprentices into the Fix Auto UK family. Apprenticeships provide a clear pathway for the next generation to build rewarding careers, while helping safeguard the future of our sector.”

The announcement comes at a time when the UK automotive repair industry faces critical workforce challenges, with the IMI predicting 140,000 skilled professionals will retire by 2032. Fix Auto UK’s proactive investment in early careers offers a model for long-term resilience in the sector.

Meanwhile, Fix Auto UK has also expanded its footprint in Northern Ireland with the appointment of Fix Auto Enniskillen. The repair centre, formerly John McGowan Auto Body Repair and led by Ruairi McGarrity, becomes the seventh site to join the network in the region within four years.

A significant redevelopment of the Enniskillen site is already underway, which will double its capacity and transform it into a 10,000sqft, state-of-the-art facility capable of repairing up to 45 vehicles per month. The appointment enhances the group’s regional coverage and strengthens its capacity to serve customers across Northern Ireland.