Lord Young opens new Ford apprentice workshop

27/02/2009

Lord Young, Mike Willis, and College Principal Dr Russell Strutt with Ford Apprentices

Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Lord Young cut the ribbon on a brand new workshop which has been designed for Central Sussex College's Ford engineering apprentices.

Lord Young visited the College's Crawley campus on Wednesday 25th February to declare the industry-standard training facility officially open. Following on from a networking lunch, attended by representatives from the regional motor vehicle industry, dignitaries and apprentices, Lord Young was given a tour of the workshop which has been developed in collaboration with training provider Skillnet Limited, which manages the Ford Masters Apprenticeship Programme (FMAP).

Also attending the official opening were Mike Willis, Principal of the Ford College, Lee Acton, CEO of Skillnet, Jenny Ball, HR Director Ford UK, Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of the new National Apprenticeship Service and John Peel OBE, Chairman of the Central Sussex College Corporation.

In 2008 Central Sussex College was awarded a three-year contract to deliver the FMAP programme, making it the only college in the South East to run the prestigious training scheme. Currently there are around 120 apprentices across the South East that will benefit

Lord Young said: "This Government has rescued apprenticeships - numbers have trebled since 1997 and there were almost a quarter of a million apprenticeship starts last year. We want one in five young people doing an Apprenticeship by 2020 - that's why we are investing a further £1 billion to support the scheme, and why we have recently pledged to create an extra 35,000 apprenticeships places.

"Apprenticeships Week highlights the crucial contribution apprentices have made to the economy. Central Sussex College, Skillnet and Ford UK have made a collective investment that shows what can be achieved by learning providers and employers working together.

"By investing in apprenticeships we are making sure many more people can begin a career in which they can be proud, gain the skills that will make them employable for the rest of their lives, and provide the UK with a skilled workforce able to compete in the global economy."

Richard Brooks, Director of the Faculty of Technology at Central Sussex College, said: "We are delighted to be able to show Lord Young and our other guests these fantastic facilities which will give the Ford apprentices the best possible start to their careers. Investing in today's trainees is essential for the continuing success of the motor industry."

The launch of the Ford engineering training workshop coincided with National Apprenticeship Week, during which a series of national and regional events sought to highlight the success of apprenticeship schemes and their benefits to industry. As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Central Sussex College also hosted an employer breakfast earlier in the day which was attended by Tim Campbell, Sir Alan Sugar's first Apprentice from the hit BBC show.

The FMAP, which is delivered by automotive training specialists Skillnet Limited, successfully recruits over 500 apprentices to its programmes every year. There are eleven Apprenticeships available on the FMAP, including sales, customer service and parts. The programme also offers Apprenticeships in car and light commercial vehicle repair and vehicle paint and body repair.

For further information about the Ford Masters Apprenticeship Programme (FMAP) visit www.ford-apprenticeships.co.uk or telephone the Ford Apprentice hotline on 01327 305008.