Kumho Awards First NVQ Graduates

The first tyre technicians to graduate from a Kumho Tyres supported NVQ training programme were honoured at a special ceremony held at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium in October.

For the last 18 months Kumho has been promoting a range of government-backed apprenticeships in vehicle fitting operations to selected members of its ECSTA Performance Centre (EPC) network of retailers. In recognition of their achievement, the first seven to complete their courses were invited to receive commemorative glass trophies, which were presented during Kumho’s recent 50th Anniversary celebrations at Old Trafford.

The scheme – thought to be the first of its kind involving a large network of independent tyre businesses – is being operated in conjunction with Kumho’s national distributor, Micheldever Tyre Services. The training provider is REMIT, a part of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI). The trophies were in addition to the apprentices’ official certificates (which they had already received from the awarding body, the IMI), and were presented on the Old Trafford pitch immediately prior to Manchester United’s victorious game against Spurs on 30 October in front of a capacity crowd of 76,000.

The presentation was made by Duncan Cho, head of marketing for Kumho Tires, and James Pegg on behalf of REMIT. The trainees concerned were: Andrew Barnaby, Steven Brown and Stephen Barrand of Auto Exhausts & Tyres; Simon Grocott and Justin Grocott of AA Silencers, and Christopher Hughes and Nathan Bennett of Crewe Tyres & Exhaust.

The next stage – which is already under way – is to roll out the scheme to the full EPC network. Said Kumho Tyre UK’s marketing director, John Thrupp, “Competition amongst retailers is bound to increase in these recessionary times and Kumho is keen to support this programme which will enhance still further the professionalism and service levels of all EPCs.”