At present Kwik-Fit’s annual training budget totals more than £3 million, and the glowing report the company received places it in the top 5% to 10% for corporate training provision in the U.K.
The Ofsted report said: “The overall effectiveness of Kwik-Fit’s provision is outstanding. This is the third inspection of the company’s government-funded training in the last ten years and they have consistently improved the grades for their motor vehicle provision and for leadership and management.
“Quality improvement is high on the company’s agenda and the company invests heavily in training and developing their people. The company training centres are very well equipped with excellent up-to-date industry standard equipment. Training in the training centres and in the workplace is particularly good.”
Inspectors singled out Kwik-Fit’s key strengths as: high training programme success rates; good teaching, learning and skills development; excellent training resources; good progression; very effective quality improvement processes; a strong company commitment to training; a particularly well planned and managed training programme; good partnership arrangements; and good initiatives to recruit female apprentices.
“With 4,200 employees across our centres and mobile fleet operations in the U.K., we place significant resources each year in our training and development programme,” said Mike Wise, head of Kwik-Fit Fleet. “The training and development of our staff is crucial in our on-going crusade to continually raise standards not only in the fast-fit sector but also in the motor industry as a whole.
“We are delighted with the report we have received from Ofsted, but we will not be complacent. Our fleet partners, rightly, make ever-increasing demands on our staff and it is only by investing in our employees that as a business we can be innovative, forward-thinking and continue to be at the cutting-edge of the fast-fit industry and ahead of our competitors.”
Kwik-Fit Fleet has won a total of 65 industry awards during the past 21 years. Reflecting on this veritable trophy cabinet full of industry kudos, Wise added: “Those awards recognise excellence in the supply of fast-fit services to U.K. fleets. A high quality and on-going training programme has been instrumental in achieving and maintaining our position as Britain’s number one fast-fit organisation. The Ofsted report demonstrates that the overall quality of our training is second to none and is something we can all take a great deal of satisfaction from.”
Kwik-Fit operates three dedicated training centres, in Derby, Harlow, and Gloucester. Currently 38 Kwik-Fit staff are employed in the delivery of the company’s apprenticeship programme. Throughout England and Wales the company employs 106 apprentices at fast-fit centres. All potential apprentices must complete a 12-week assessment before entry to the apprenticeship programme. In addition, there are 211 adults employed by Kwik-Fit who are presently completing an NVQ at Level 2 in motor vehicle fast-fit as part of the Government’s ‘Train to Gain’ programme.
The Kwik-Fit report can be read at www.ofsted.gov.uk. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)
