The Bedford College Group partners with Stellantis to pilot Rising Stars Customer Service Traineeship

 The Bedford College Group has partnered with global automotive organisation Stellantis to pilot a new Rising Stars Customer Service Traineeship.

This offers final-year Business students the opportunity to progress from college learning into paid placements with an opportunity to move into permanent employment.

This week, the pilot was introduced to second-year BTEC Level 3 Business students across Bedford College, Tresham College and Central Bedfordshire College. Students took part in virtual presentations delivered by Rebecca Thorn, Transition and Employment Manager for Stellantis, who introduced the organisation, explained the structure of the pilot and highlighted the range of career opportunities available within Stellantis’ retailer network.

Students taking part will be invited to an online interview and will be offered e-learning modules to complete, with progression through the programme based on interview performance and successful completion of the online learning.

Successful students will then be put forward for paid work placements, which will be scheduled to fit around their college studies as they approach the end of their courses.

Placements will be based within Stellantis dealerships. Successful students will also have the opportunity to attend the Stellantis Performance Academy in Coventry where they will receive additional training.

The Bedford College Group has an established relationship with Stellantis through its national Rising Stars Technical Traineeship, which has previously supported Tresham Motor Vehicle students into paid placements and permanent roles within the automotive sector.

Rebecca Thorn, Transition and Employment Manager at Stellantis, said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with The Bedford College Group to pilot the Rising Stars Customer Service Traineeship. This programme has been designed to give young people a genuine route into the automotive industry, combining structured learning with real workplace experience in our retailer network. It’s an exciting opportunity for students to develop the skills, confidence and professional behaviours needed for a successful career, and we look forward to supporting them as they take their first steps into employment. We’re proud to build on our existing relationship with the Group and hope this pilot will be the first step towards rolling the programme out nationally.”

Lisa Tomblin, Course Lead for Business at Bedford College, part of The Bedford College Group said:

“The Stellantis Rising Stars programme is an exceptional opportunity for young people to develop into confident and capable Customer Service Advisors. It offers paid, real-world experience in car dealerships and is designed to fit around their college studies. It’s a brilliant pathway for Business students across The Bedford College Group to build professional skills, gain industry insight, and take their first steps into a rewarding career”.

Arjan Singh, a second-year Level 3 BTEC Business student, added:

“I really enjoyed the presentation and found it useful and really informative, I am definitely going to apply. I am really interested in the training that they are offering, it’s an exciting opportunity and will hopefully lead to a new career.”

For more information on the courses available across The Bedford College Group, visit https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/