Kia Academy Apprentice Of The Year Awards

LONDON – Sept 23, 2013: Kia Motors (UK) Ltd celebrated the efforts of apprentices from its dealer network at its Apprentice of the Year Awards ceremony at the iconic Kia Oval.

The apprentices started with a game of Kwik cricket on the pitch at the Kia Oval then later in the day four separate accolades were given to those apprentices who proved their performance ability and attitude at the Kia Academy and work.

Norfolk Motor Group Kia saw two of its trainees scoop up apprentice awards. With Darrell Delaney winning ‘Apprentice of the Year, Light Vehicle Award Year 3’ and Michael Long winning the ‘Apprentice of the Year, After Sales Award’. Clark Lovejoy from Milton Keynes was awarded with the ‘Apprentice of the Year, Light Vehicle Award, Year 1’.

The Award for Outstanding Effort and Achievement went to Abigail Godden from Canterbury Kia. This award was given to the apprentice based not only on performance ability but also the addition of overcoming obstacles that could have stopped their progression, showing a greater distance travelled with regards to their learning and maturity.

Kevin Charles, Apprenticeship Programme Manager said “All the apprentices have worked hard and shown commitment in the past year. It is now being recognised by the dealer network that the apprenticeship programme adds value giving them the Kia ethos and key values to succeed and achieve.”

The Kia Academy Apprenticeship programme was re-launched during 2012 after moving to the new Kia Academy Training Centre in Ruddington, South Nottingham. Michael Cole – now COO of Europe - officially opened the Academy in July 2012, with the first week of apprenticeship training started in September 2012. There are currently over 100 apprentices going through the programme.

The Kia Academy Apprenticeship Programme offers courses which allow apprentices to train in both technical and non-technical domains. It has been designed specifically to develop Kia apprentices to equip them with the highest level of skills and practical ability within the automotive industry.