Mon, 10 Jan 2011
Luxury car manufacturer, Bentley, is setting the standard for staff training and apprenticeship schemes, according to the Independent newspaper.
Bentley is determined to help young people get qualified and trained in the motoring industry. Its schemes are giving young people another alternative to university and it is reaping the benefits, claims business reporter Margareta Pagano.
The Independent spoke to one of Bentley’s lucky apprentices, Louis, who says that his experience of taking an advanced apprenticeship at the car manufacturer is miles away from the common opinion of what an apprenticeship entails. He explained, “They think you are the broom boy, who couldn't go on to study more or university. It's ignorance because they don't understand how apprenticeships work. But I'm an advanced apprentice, have a job I love, get paid for it and go to college. And I don't have any debt.”
Under the scheme he is sponsored by Bentley to work throughout the week as a junior engineer and attend a foundation degree in engineering one day each week.
Julia Gill, who is in charge of the division of Bentley that provides training for employees, said the car firm is following the German model of investing in future talent for the company. She said, "The Germans understand that better than anyone."
"We've been able to increase the number of places as we're investing in workers for the future, for the next Bentley model," she added.
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