31st October 2014 | Chassis Cab Bury St Edmunds

DAF TRUCKS APPRENTICES OF THE YEAR 2014 ANNOUNCED

DAF TRUCKS APPRENTICES OF THE YEAR 2014 ANNOUNCED

1st year winner Andrew Baber of Chassis Cab, Bury St Edmunds

The multi-award winning DAF Trucks National Dealer Apprentice Programme has enrolled nearly 1,350 students since its introduction in 1995.  At an awards ceremony held this week in Bristol, where the programme is based, the 2014 finalists were honoured and the overall winners announced.


The graduating third year winner was named as Thomas Ford of Ford & Slater DAF in Leicester, the second year award given to Dexter Truscott of Wessex DAF in Devon and the first year winner was named as Andrew Baber from Chassis Cab Bury St Edmunds.
 
The awards ceremony was attended by over 400 guests from across the commercial vehicle industry, including senior management from DAF Trucks, their dealers, the City of Bristol College, Skillnet and associated organisation such as the IMI, SOE, Norfolk Community Foundation and the Learning Skills Council.
Immediately prior to the ceremony, the top ten finalists from each academic year took part in a series of timed tasks to test their ability and confirm the overall winners. Assessors from DAF’s training partner Skillnet and the City of Bristol College were responsible for the final evaluations.
Ray Ashworth, managing director of DAF Trucks commented: “DAF is committed to the highest standard of education throughout our dealer network and the apprentice programme allows us to develop technicians who are fully versed in the technology of the future.  The DAF National Dealer Apprenticeship Programme has become a benchmark for apprentice training across the UK motor industry and provides students with nationally recognised qualifications of the highest standard.”
DAF apprentices attend City of Bristol College for a total of 28 weeks of training during the course of the three year programme.  The programme is managed for DAF Trucks by Skillnet Automotive Academy with the training carried out at the City of Bristol College.
 
The course combines practical and theoretical study at college with on-the-job training at a DAF dealership.  At the end of the programme successful apprentices emerge with an Advanced Apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. This includes an IMI Level 3 Diploma and IMI Level 3 NVQ in Vehicle Maintenance & Repair (Heavy Vehicles), a recognised welding certificate, and a certificate of key skills in communication and information technology.