Six of the best for Blackpool and Fylde College Automotive Academy
Six Ford apprentices on a block release programme at Blackpool and The Fylde College are celebrating after becoming the first to complete their ATA training to Service Maintenance Technician level with the College’s Automotive Academy.
Blackpool and The Fylde College is one of only 9 centres in the UK that delivers dedicated training to Ford of Britain, which now makes an ATA qualification a compulsory requirement of its apprenticeship programme.
Almost one hundred students from Ford attend the College in a programme of 2-week block releases every 2 months during their 3 years’ training.
The six successful candidates are all NVQ Level 3 Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair students at the Academy – a recognised Centre of Vocational Excellence for automotive industry training. They can now look forward to becoming registered as ATA qualified Ford technicians.
Mark Armitage, Training Development and Quality Supervisor, Ford of Britain, has worked closely with the College in piloting and proving the new ATA assessment programme – the first to be delivered by a Ford training partner.
Commenting on the scheme, he said: “The Blackpool team have been extremely professional and proactive from day one and the feedback from learners has been nothing but positive. We’re now working with the College to roll the ATA programme out to other Ford centres so we can share the best practice we’ve established in Blackpool across the network.’’
Mark Bateman, Curriculum Leader, added: “With the increasing complexity and sophistication of vehicles and a growing shortage of skilled individuals, there has never been a greater need for competent staff. Ford are very keen to establish the ATA as a required standard for all their technicians, and we’re more than happy to be working with them to meet that target.”
The ATA is regulated by the Institute of the Motor Industry, the professional association and Sector Skills Council for the automotive retail industry. To ensure it retains its status and keeps pace with technological developments, all accredited technicians are reassessed every five years.
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Notes to Editors:
The Automotive Systems Academy at Blackpool and The Fylde College is a Centre of Vocational Excellence, offering outstanding facilities and resources and providing superb career prospects through its strong links with the automotive industry.
Blackpool and The Fylde College is recognised as one of the top colleges in the country. It has been designated a National Beacon of Excellence and was recently re-accredited for the Charter Mark in recognition of the excellent service it provides.
For further information:
Mark Batemen, Curriculum Leader, Engineering and Computing, Blackpool and The Fylde College MBATE@blackpool.ac.uk O1253 504078