News From Suzuki - New National Training Centre

MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM – March 7, 2012: Suzuki (GB) PLC is pleased to announce the official opening of its new National Apprentice Training Centre based in Armthorpe, nr Doncaster. The new centre is the hub for Suzuki’s Apprentice training across its franchised dealers and authorised repair network and includes staff from Car, Motorcycle and ATV sections of the business.

Suzuki launched the Apprenticeship programme for its car dealers in 2003 with Motorcycle and ATV apprentices added in 2004. The first Apprentice group graduated in 2005 and it is now one of the highest regarded schemes in the industry producing 171 graduates to date.

This year there are currently over 100 apprentices in the programme, roughly split as 70 from Suzuki franchised car dealers and 30 from Motorcycle and ATV. Suzuki has a widespread franchised UK network of 158 car, 83 motorcycle and 46 ATV dealers.

Under the tuition and mentoring from four Trainers employed by service provider SPX Service Solutions, Service Technicians for Car, Motorcycle and ATV study in 17 blocks over a 36 month period with Parts and Aftersales studying 8 blocks plus a further 16 days dealer training over a 30 month period. As part of their final year, Technical Apprentices are then put through their accredited level assessments on the Suzuki Master Technician Programme prior to graduating.

Denis Houston, Aftersales Director for Suzuki GB comments: “We are delighted to launch our new Training Centre; developing the skills of our apprentices is an excellent way of strengthening our performance, staying true to our company vision and ultimately offering even better customer service. The Suzuki Apprenticeship Programme provides a strong foundation on which to develop their careers with Suzuki in the future.”

Also in attendance at the launch was Stirling Wood, Head of Skills Development at the IMI who commented: “I am delighted to attend the opening of the new Suzuki Training Centre. The automotive retail sector is critical to the health of the UK economy however a successful motor industry of tomorrow will depend on getting bright young people to join today who want a career that they can enjoy and progress in. With many young people choosing to take an Apprenticeship in this sector last year, they continue to be a great way to get into the industry and are the proven way for businesses to train their workforce and can make an organisation more effective, productive and competitive by addressing skills gaps directly.”