Mercedes-Benz UK has invested £2.1 million into the new facilities which provide industry leading training for young people to become Mercedes-Benz qualified technicians and parts advisors. The site was opened by HRH Duke of York and became fully operational in April 2012.
The Duke was introduced to a group of current apprentices, and heard first-hand about the benefits of being part of the apprenticeship programme, which leads to nationally-recognised NVQ and VRQ qualifications. His Royal Highness regards apprentice programmes such as this as key to ensuring that young people are best able to take advantage of the challenges that exist in the 21st Century and have the opportunity to develop relevant employability skills.
When talking about the visit, Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz UK commented: “We were honoured and delighted when His Royal Highness Prince Andrew asked to visit us. Our new Apprentice Academy will be operational for the first intake of students on 16 April, and is a fantastic example of how Mercedes-Benz UK is making a long term investment in people, and in the future of British industry.”
In 2012, 159 apprentices joined the Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Programme – from a total of 11,500 applications. A recent Ofsted inspection awarded the Programme a Grade One Outstanding for the ‘Outcomes for Learners’.
In total, 1,200 apprentices have graduated from the programme since 1995 and 60 per cent of those who graduate are still with the Mercedes-Benz brand 10 years on, many progressing to senior positions.
The programme is funded by the Skills Funding Agency with additional investment from Mercedes-Benz UK. The third year of the programme is a paid for by the manufacturer as an on-the-job, support programme to strengthen the students’ knowledge base and experience. The Apprentice Programme has been running for 18 years, with an average intake of 117 apprentices per year and a 92 per cent qualification success rate.
The Apprentice Academy is just one exciting part of a thriving and highly innovative network of Mercedes-Benz businesses in close proximity to its Milton Keynes headquarters – from Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, responsible for designing and building the engines powering Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One in Brackley, where the team is based.
In March this year, the Academy was chosen by UK Prime Minister David Cameron as his first visit to mark the start of National Apprentice Week. During the visit Mr Cameron was introduced to groups of apprentices working on Mercedes-Benz cars, vans and trucks, and heard first-hand about the benefits of being part of the apprenticeship programme, which leads to nationally-recognised NVQ and VRQ qualifications.
David Cameron said: “I was delighted to visit the Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Academy to see the excellent facilities, and to meet so many hard working and highly skilled apprentices. Apprenticeships are at the heart of our mission to rebuild the economy, giving young people the chance to learn a trade and create a truly world class workforce that can compete and thrive in the global race.”
Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz UK said: “We were honoured and delighted that the Prime Minister asked to visit our Apprentice Academy. The Apprentice Academy is a fantastic example of how Mercedes-Benz UK is making a long-term investment in people and helping talented young people to find their vocation. The Mercedes-Benz brand makes a significant contribution to the UK’s economic, engineering, technology, business and cultural landscape, and secures UK-wide employment across a range of disciplines, including youth development through our apprenticeship scheme.”
