Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, recently visited Kwik Fit’s state-of-the-art training facility in Mallusk, meeting the next generation of automotive technicians and seeing first hand how the company is investing in local talent.
The Mallusk centre is unique in Northern Ireland, combining a fully operational Kiwi Fit service centre with a dedicated training hub. During the visit, the Mayor spent time with the apprentices currently progressing through Kwik Fit’s bespoke apprenticeship programme, delivered in partnership with Rutledge Training. The programme blends classroom learning with hands‑on experience using some of the most advanced automotive technology on the market.
Kwik Fit currently has nine apprentices training at the centre, each developing skills that go far beyond traditional tyre fitting. Their training includes working with advanced driver assistance systems such as lane departure assistance and adaptive cruise control calibration, reflecting the increasingly technical nature of modern vehicles.
With demand for skilled technicians continuing to grow, Kwik Fit plans to recruit another 10 -12 apprentices in September with all successful candidates offered long-term roles and career progression opportunities within the business. Training Lead, Neil Kirkpatrick is passionate about promoting from within and developing a strong pipeline of highly skilled technicians trained to the highest standards.
Speaking after the visit, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick said: “It was fantastic to meet the apprentices at Kwik Fit, Mallusk and see the impressive training they receive. The combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience with modern technology highlights the quality of opportunities available locally. It’s encouraging to see a business so committed to developing young people and supporting long-term careers.”
Training lead for Kwik Fit, Neil Kirkpatrick said “Our apprentices are at the heart of everything we do. The automotive industry is changing rapidly, and we’re committed to giving young people the skills and confidence to thrive in a highly technical environment. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch apprentices grow from day one into skilled technicians who can build long, successful careers with us.
We’re proud of the talent coming through our Mallusk facility, and we’re excited to welcome even more apprentices later this year.”
Looking ahead, Kwik Fit has plans to open three additional centres across Northern Ireland in the coming years, alongside the potential expansion of the Mallusk facility.
For more information, visit www.kwik-fit.com
Belfast City Region ready to “convert opportunity into delivery” by bringing over £5 billion of opportunities to investment community
10th Mar 2026
Read Article