Bentley opens new training facility for enhanced apprenticeship approach

Bentley has just opened a new dedicated apprentice training facility in Crewe, comprising a workshop and classroom based institution. The new facility is based at apprenticeship training provider Total People within South Cheshire College in Crewe and has been developed as part of Bentley's new manufacturing apprenticeship scheme, focused on strengthening core skills as Bentley prepares for the introduction of its SUV in 2016 and future growth.

The programme will utilise a dual education system, with approximately 70 percent of time devoted to practical and 30 percent to theoretical learning within chosen profession areas in manufacturing.

Bentley will use its own experts to design and deliver the skills and training on the apprenticeship programme, having introduced four Master Trainers who will design and deliver the practical curriculum, focusing on four core areas: trim, wood, paint and mechatronics.
 
The new facility will have two studios, for Trim and Wood respectively, where 40 apprentices will use workstations to train on practical elements, under tuition from the Master Trainers.

Technical theoretical development will take place in a study area adjacent to the workshops. The programme is also tailored to blend with weekly practical sessions at Bentley's manufacturing headquarters.

The new approach to the programme has seen Bentley experts and its human resources team work closely with Total People to develop the required standards, the curriculum content and new facilities.

The opening of the new facility adds to Bentley's long established apprenticeship programme, running for more than 40 years. The latest intake includes 52 apprentices, 12 of which will be based permanently at Bentley's headquarters in Crewe, working in a number of different engineering and commercial fields.