Kia Motors UK has opened an all-new training academy in Ruddington, South Nottingham. The Academy gives the next generation of Kia apprentices from across the country the opportunity to become fully qualified in a variety of technical apprenticeships and schemes.

With 179 dealerships across the UK to serve, the Kia academy will run up to 2,500 apprentice delegate days this year, and is looking to recruit at least 100 apprentices.

The introduction of the new facility means that apprentices are able to train in both technical and non-technical fields, whereas only technical courses were previously available. Programmes available at the facility include Light Vehicle Technician, Service Advisor and Parts Advisor and for the first time in the UK, participants will be able to study a combined Service and Parts Advisor course. 

Simon Hetherington, Dealer Development Director, Kia Motors UK commented, “Over the last few years Kia has experienced growth in sales, market share and brand image and our dealer network has been changing too, with a bold new red face for Kia on the high-street.

“We recognise that the most important thing to ensure we deliver great customer experiences is our people. That is why we have invested in our new Kia Academy training centre, enabling us to deliver our latest courses to technicians, service advisors and sales consultants from all around the UK.”

SMMT recently announced a new industry-led careers initiative – Discover Automotive Retail – that will provide young people with the chance to experience the diverse variety of exciting career opportunities available in the UK’s automotive retail sector.

Working with the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the initiative will go live with a series of events this November, showcasing the opportunities available across a number of disciplines including technical, sales, finance and administration. Click through for more information about Discover Automotive Retail.