Car makers launch apprenticeship service

Leading car manufacturers have launched a service aimed at helping thousands of people obtain an apprenticeship in the industry.

The service, developed and funded through the Automotive Industrial Partnership, will help up to 10,000 candidates a year secure an automotive apprenticeship, where company programmes to which they apply are oversubscribed.

The service is expected to be of particular benefit to the automotive supply chain.

The launch of the service comes as research by manufacturing skills body Semta reveals how a shortage of adequate training in the sector could start to impact on the skills needed to sustain productivity.

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: "The UK is the most productive of all European car manufacturers - if we are to maintain this position, it's essential that we have the right skills."