Automotive centre celebrates being one of a kind

Jan 2 2008 by Moira Sharkey, South Wales Echo

AN academy for mechanics is celebrating being one of a kind.

Coleg Glan Hafren’s Automotive Academy is the only centre to offer a Ford Masters Apprenticeship in Wales, one of just eight in the UK.

The car company has worked with the Cardiff college for four years to offer the apprenticeship. It has now granted the college top marks, a grade one, for its facilities, care and teaching.

The centre has almost 60 apprentices on the three-year programme.

The apprentices are referred to Cardiff Automotive Academy by Ford, spending two weeks at the academy four times each year. Ford has invested more than £200,000 to improve the facility and provides equipment, vehicles and parts.

Jim Gordon, learning manager at Ford said: “Over the past four years Coleg Glan Hafren has given us Welsh provision to enhance our national apprenticeship programme. And 2008 will see Ford expanding its commitment to Coleg Glan Hafren by offering Masters mature training to its Ford Accident Repair Body Shops. The partnership grows in strength year by year and we are proud to have them onboard as a part of the team.”