Skillnet to run Ford apprenticeship scheme

Citation

(2008), "Skillnet to run Ford apprenticeship scheme", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 40 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2008.03740fab.008

Skillnet to run Ford apprenticeship scheme

Article Type: Notes and news From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 40, Issue 6

Ford Motor Company has selected Skillnet Automotive Academy, a UK training provider to the automotive industry, to manage its national apprenticeship program.

The Ford Masters’ Apprenticeship Program (FMAP) has more than 1,000 apprentices who have signed up for the three-year course, which combines on-the-job training, provided by dealerships across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, with local and residential college tuition.

Lee Acton, Skillnet chief executive, said: “We believe there is no substitute for recruiting the best candidates and delivering training of the highest quality. We are looking forward to driving the Ford Masters’ Apprenticeship Program to become the leading car-apprenticeship program not only in the automotive industry but also in the work-based learning sector as a whole.”

Skillnet is responsible for the management and delivery of training programs for the full range of automotive mechanical and electrical-engineering disciplines, including light and heavy-vehicle repair, fast-fit, vehicle-body repair, vehicle refinishing and body fitting. It also offers training in sales, customer service, administration and business management. The target age group for the program is 16-20.

Mike Willis, principal of the Ford College, said: “I am delighted to announce that Skillnet has been awarded a three-year contract to deliver the Ford Masters’ Apprentice Programme. The supply of the right number of potential apprentices, in the right locations, is central to the success of the program and Skillnet will provide a depth of experience that will ensure the program leads the way in the automotive industry.”

Skillnet is part-funded by the Learning and Skills Council and will be supported in delivering the Ford contract by LSC area director Claire Arnold and her team at London West LSC.

Lee Acton said: “We will provide a recruitment team dedicated to the Ford network, work to meet individual dealer requirements, maintain regular communication with dealers on progress in filling vacancies as well as advise on, and support, the running of dealers’ own recruitment events.

“By developing strong relationships with the Ford dealership network, Connexions and career offices, schools and further-education colleges, we aim to encourage greater uptake of the program, especially by women and candidates from minority groups. We believe our partnership with further-education colleges is a unique aspect of our training provision for the automotive industry.”