TV personality and presenter of th
e series, How do they do it?, Robert Llewellyn, was at Ferrari North Europe’s new apprentices facilities in London yesterday, where he met the 11 new Ferrari apprentices who have just been enrolled in a new 3-year Ferrari Apprenticeship programme.
“Meeting the apprentices at Ferrari was inspirational. They are clearly an exceptional group of young people who have been given the opportunity many would only dream of,” said Robert. “Teaching young people the skills in science, engineering and technology they will learn on this apprentice programme is vital to our future.”
The competition for the 11 places was fierce, with over 1,000 applicants from school leavers who dreamed of working for Ferrari and the successful candidates will be employed at Ferrari dealerships throughout the UK and will attend 24 weeks of dedicated Ferrari training at Ferrari North Europe’s head office during the three year programme.
The training will include hands-on diagnostic and mechanical training on the current range of Ferrari models, such as the Ferrari 458 Italia – the apprentices will also have access to other models from Ferrari’s recent past, including the F430 Coupé, to ensure they have the necessary skills to confidently service the cars they are most likely to see in the workshop at their dealerships.
Regional Manager of Ferrari North Europe, Matteo Torre, commented, “We are delighted to welcome the new apprentices to Ferrari and we are overwhelmed by the interest in this programme. This project is part of the Ferrari philosophy of investing in young talent and we are proud to continue this philosophy through the Ferrari North Europe Apprentice Programme and to ensure that the Ferrari dealer network has a continual supply of high quality, knowledgeable and expertly trained apprentices who will hopefully become the Ferrari technicians of the future.”
Ferrari North Europe’s investment in the new apprenticeship facilities amounts to over £500,000 and includes a commitment from the Official Ferrari Dealers in the UK to take on at least one apprentice for the duration of the three year Apprentice Programme, two new purpose-designed classrooms with 11 computer terminals for online assessments and a dedicated and fully-equipped workshop with two vehicle ramps and over £20,000 of tools and equipment for apprentices to receive hands-on training for servicing and maintaining Ferrari cars.
Commenting on the announcement, Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State said, “I am pleased to hear of your support for apprenticeship programmes in manufacturing and engineering and for the “See Inside Manufacturing” initiative. It is good to know that organisations such as Ferrari are committed to apprenticeships and are continuing to invest in them.”
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of the SMMT, said, “Attracting bright young talent into the automotive sector is key to our long term success. Apprentice programmes like this ensure young people are encouraged and developed to reach their full potential. Whether it’s in design, development and manufacturing or retail and aftersales activity, there are a whole range of career options within the motor industry and with the ever-growing rate of technological development, now is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the sector.”
The new Ferrari North Europe Apprentices are:
Luke Alston, 18, Lancaster, Colchester
Stephen Burrows, 16, Graypaul, Nottingham
Liam Carter, 16, Graypaul, Birmingham
Stuart Dunk, 17, Maranello, Egham, Surrey
Jade Harrison, 18, Joe Macari Servicing, Wandsworth, London
Richard Henley, 19, Stratstone, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Fred Hopkins, 18, Carrs of Exeter, Exeter
James Prior, 17, H.R. Owen Sports Cars, Park Royal, London
Georgina Slack, 18, JCT600, Leeds
James Slocombe, 16, Meridien Modena, Lyndhurst, Hampshire
Jack Twohey, 18, Maranello Egham, Egham, Surrey
To find out more about ‘See Inside Manufacturing’, click here.
