Ford is creating a new, modern training centre on its existing site in Daventry, Northamptonshire, as a part of multi-million pound investment. The all-new site will combine the capabilities of two existing Ford colleges – the Technical Training Centre situated separately at Daventry and the Henry Ford College in Loughborough that offers training for management, sales staff and technicians throughout its national dealer network. Scheduled to open next year, the new training centre will be replacing the existing plants to become a centre of excellence for training across the country.
The new building forms an extension to the existing 150,000 square-metre PDC (Parts Distribution Centre) on the Daventry site. It will provide courses to adult learners to Diploma and Masters Degree level, and students taking the successful Ford Masters Apprenticeship programmes. The building will include a vehicle showroom area, 200 seat auditorium, a large restaurant, lounge and classrooms. Both the exterior and interior will follow the style and design of new-look Ford dealer showrooms, including Hello and Relax areas in the reception.
Jon Wellsman, Director at Ford Customer Service Division said: “With the latest Ford vehicles now demonstrating technology leadership, it’s important that our dealer teams receive the highest quality product and technical training. This world-class new plant will allow us to do just that.” The American automaker is simultaneously announcing a series of business and engineering apprenticeship programmes, including a newly established Higher Apprenticeship in IT, as well as extremely successful Masters Apprenticeship Programme, which recruits 450 new apprentices into Ford dealer network every year.
Construction on the site is likely to be completed in December this year, and is scheduled to open in early 2015. Stuart Harris, Ford College Manager said: “This new training centre is a fantastic opportunity to consolidate our industry-leading training programmes, allowing us to offer face-to-face tuition in a real-world working environment.