Bristol automotive academy achieves record Apprenticeship success

BRISTOL, U.K. - Nov. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Underpinning a gradual recovery for businesses in the automotive sector, Bristol based S&B Automotive Academy has delivered its best ever performance for Apprenticeships in its 42-year history.

In the academic year 2012/13, figures show an average success rate of 87% across both Advanced and Intermediate Apprenticeships, which is an increase of 4% year on year and 15% above the average national success rate of 72% for the automotive sector. All learners working towards Apprenticeships in ‘Vehicle Body and Paint’ achieved 100% success, as did those on the Advanced Apprenticeship in Vehicle Parts.

With over 400 apprentices in training and the recruitment of 90 new full-time learners on Level 2 intermediate light vehicle and body and paint programmes, the Academy has grown to become one of the UK’s largest independent training providers.

Commenting on its record-breaking performance, Jon Winter, S&B’s Chief Executive, said:

“The bar had been set very high last year but S&B has yet again managed to improve and take its success rates to another level. We are delighted at the achievement of our apprentices who have shown significant effort and determination to develop their skills and careers. These results are also reflective of the pastoral care that the apprentices receive both in the workplace and at the Academy.”

S&B has recently secured a new national Apprenticeship in partnership with one of the UK’s largest passenger transport companies, Go-Ahead Group plc, starting with 10 bus and coach intermediate Level 2 apprentices, based at the passenger transport company’s London and Plymouth depots. In addition, the Academy has been appointed by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to manage the Apprenticeship for four new vehicle inspection technicians.

Some 60 businesses were added to S&B’s client list in the past year, which took on apprentices in various disciplines. In the coming 12 months, the Academy is aiming to increase that number to 80. There has also been significant interest in Apprenticeships from automotive businesses in Wales, as the Welsh Assembly has announced it would fund an apprentice’s salary in the first six months of employment.

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S&B Automotive Academy is one of the leading specialist training providers serving the retail motor industry and transport sectors. Established for 42 years as a not-for-profit organisation, S&B Automotive Academy is an approved assessment centre for the national Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) and irtec licensing schemes. www.sandbaa.com