Gearing Up for Growth

How Dandenong Nissan used the NISSMAP Mentored Apprenticeship Program to Create and Build a Pipeline of Talent.

Oshen first year NISSMAP apprentice at Dandenong Nissan (left) with his service manager Chris, super proud to receive his Snap-on tool kit as a part of his NISSMAP apprenticeship.

When Chris Aravanis stepped into the role of Service Manager at Dandenong Nissan in Melbourne in late 2020, he saw an opportunity to improve operations and culture.

“There was a lot of room for positive change,” he says. “That’s why I came here — to help build the team.”

Chris brought with him extensive experience managing service departments at high-volume dealerships, including Nissan and Kia. He understood that developing a workshop required more than technical know-how — it demanded structure, consistency, and the right people.

“It became clear early on that to strengthen the team and move forward, we needed to rethink the structure — not just by bringing in experienced techs, but by supporting the right young talent to grow with the business.”

Establishing a strong and sustainable team is an ongoing challenge in the automotive sector. “Recruiting and inducting apprentices required time and resources” says Chris. “One has to be mindful that young team members often need extra support to adjust to the demands of a fast-paced automotive environment.

Chris reflected that needed not just new people, but a new approach. Having worked successfully with WPC Group in previous roles, Chris reconnected with Carol Wicks — one of WPC Group’s experienced apprentice and trainee managers — to lay the groundwork for a better way forward. Carol worked with Chris to reintroduce Dandenong Nissan to the award-winning Nissan Mentored Apprenticeship Program (NISSMAP) program.

The Nissan Mentored Apprenticeship Program is Nissan Australia’s flagship automotive technician apprenticeship training initiative, delivered in partnership with WPC Group. Together, Chris and Carol expanded the scope and scale of apprenticeships as a workforce development strategy across Dandenong Nissan.

From day one, NISSMAP and WPC Group provided support far beyond recruitment. Carol mentored both apprentices and managers alike, offering guidance, mediation, and real-time problem-solving. “As a manager, you’re busy. So, to have someone like Carol who’s always available to come in, talk to the apprentices, and help mentor - that’s invaluable,” Chris says. “And the apprentices know that too. If they’re uncomfortable talking to me, they’ll go to their WPC mentor. It creates a whole other layer of support.”

Recent graduate Natasha Atkins agrees: “Carol, my mentor, built a relationship where I could open up — not just about work, but life too,” Natasha says. “That made a huge difference.”

The mentoring model proved crucial for first-year apprentices navigating the realities of full-time physical work. Chris and Carol addressed common early pitfalls like punctuality, fatigue, and adjusting to professional expectations through frank values-driven conversations. Topics like sleep, nutrition, and resilience were all on the table.

Not surprisingly, the ‘huge difference’ of personalised mentoring and support WPC Group provides through NISSMAP not only helps proactively address any emerging challenges before they become bigger issues, it also translates into significantly superior apprenticeship retention and completion rates.

Since NISSMAP’s establishment in 2011, the Program has consistently delivered apprenticeship retention rates in excess of 80-90%, compared with a national average of roughly 50%.

Natasha recently completed her auto electrical training – the second part of her dual qualification - at Dandenong Nissan/Kia. “In the generic apprenticeship, it’s all self-paced — you read online modules and do the tests,” Natasha says. “In the NISSMAP Program, the teacher goes through each topic with us, gives real-life examples, and made it hands-on. Everyone learned together, and it kept us on track together.”

The Results

In the four years since Dandenong Nissan made the decision to recommit to the NISSMAP Program as its core apprenticeship talent development pathway, the dealership has transitioned into one of the most recognised in the country — with the Dandenong Nissan team recently winning back-to-back Nissan ELITE Dealer Excellence Awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Today, the service team includes nine technicians and three advisors, with apprentices making up over 60% of the workforce. All were placed through WPC Group, with Dandenong Nissan reporting a retention and completion rate averaging 85% to 90%.

“We’ve had amazing success with NISSMAP,” Chris says. “And I think that’s because we don’t just throw them into the deep end. They get hands-on straight away, buddied up with a tech. They start building their knowledge and confidence from day one.”

Recent graduate Natasha Atkins reflects on her journey through the NISSMAP Mentored Apprenticeship Program.