Last updated at 11:32, Tuesday, 13 November 2012

A VEHICLE damage repair company is celebrating having its first fully qualified apprentice in Barrow.

COMPANY FIRST: Panel beater, Dennis Magtoto who has completed his apprentice training with Karl Vella Group, with site manager, Emma Fawcett SUBMITTED

Dennis Magtoto has become Karl Vella Group’s first fully qualified Barrow apprentice.

The 20-year-old started out as a teenage apprentice at the Karl Vella Group’s premises, County Coach Automotive Ltd, in Park Road, Barrow, four years ago. Mr Magtoto attended Furness College one day a week to learn his trade.

The former St Bernard’s Catholic High School student was taken on straight from school and has been working as a panel beater ever since.

County Coach Automotive Ltd was taken over by the Karl Vella Group last year, Mr Magtoto has become the first apprentice to become fully qualified under the Group’s ownership.

Mr Magtoto was born in the Philippines and lived in Saudi Arabia until 2005 when he came to England and settled in Barrow.

He said: “I am really pleased to have passed my qualifications with the Karl Vella Group. Since coming here after leaving school, I have really enjoyed myself. It’s a really good company to work for, I have some good friends and I am learning new skills all the time.”

Emma Fawcett, site manager in Barrow, said: “Dennis is very popular with all the team here. He is very enthusiastic and is willing to go above and beyond to do a first class job.

“We are delighted for Dennis that he can now use his skills and qualifications to give our customers a quality product.”

Karl Vella is an approved repairer for most major car insurers, repairing accident damage to all makes of car, including Vauxhall, Nissan and Volkswagen, as well as prestige marques such as Mercedes, Jaguar and BMW. Its services include car body repair, accident repair, vehicle servicing, alloy wheel refurbishment and tyre replacement.

In 2008, Karl Vella Group became the first multi-site accident repair chain in the North of England to be awarded the Thatcham BSI Kitemark for vehicle body repair across all sites,and managing director, Karl Vella, remains involved in developing the standard today.

First published at 11:26, Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk