Ford shortlisted as regional winners of National Apprenticeship Awards 2014

Ford and its national dealer network has been short-listed from hundreds of entrants for the South East final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014.

Having won the South East Macro Employer of the Year in 2013, Ford is looking to retain its title at this year’s regional finals, taking place on September 1, 2014 at Southend Pier’s Royal Pavilion.

The National Apprenticeship Awards, now in their 11th year, celebrate the achievements of the country’s most outstanding apprentices and apprenticeship providers.

Last year Ford introduced its unique degree-level Higher Apprenticeship programme in Product Development Engineering, as well as a professional level Higher Apprenticeship programme in Finance. This was strengthened this year by the Higher Apprenticeship being rolled out to additional Engineering functions and expanding the Business Higher Apprenticeships into IT.

This is in addition to the long-running and extremely successful Masters Apprenticeship Programme, which recruits 450 new apprentices into the Ford dealer network every year.

Sue Husband, Executive Director Apprenticeships and Delivery at the Skills Funding Agency, said: “Apprenticeships are thriving in England, and it’s not hard to see why. They offer ambitious young people and adults unrivalled career prospects, and give businesses an exceptional route to grow a highly qualified and motivated workforce.”

Tessa Hougham, Ford Apprenticeship Manager, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted as regional finalists for a second time, following a hugely successful first year of our Higher Apprenticeship Programmes and the continuation of our Advanced Engineering Programmes.”

All the South East winners will proceed through to a final national judging stage, with the highest scoring entries across the country featuring in the England’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, produced by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds.

The national award winners will be revealed during an awards ceremony at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on November 13, 2014.

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About Ford of Europe

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 47,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 67,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22 manufacturing facilities (13 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and nine unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visitwww.ford.co.uk

If you have any further enquiries or require publication-quality, downloadable photographs on Ford Motor Company products or services, visit our dedicated media websites www.media.ford.com orwww.fordmedia.eu, or contact our press office.

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