Latest Press Releases
Archive

24^th July 2006 (Source: Motorsport Development UK )

The UK's motorsport industry will be able to maintain its skills base leadership into the next decade with the award of a major contract which will help to guide and coordinate training and education provision for the sector.

Motorsport Development UK has awarded a £2.6m contract to Carter and Carter, who in partnership with the Motorsport Industry Association, will manage and deliver the Motorsport Academy. The partnership will provide both the expertise of a leading provider of outsourced support services and learning solutions as well as in-depth industry knowledge from the leading trade association for the sector.

The Motorsport Academy is a keystone programme created to help the world-class and prosperous UK motorsport industry further develop its skills base. It is set to become the single national organisation and centre of excellence responsible for ensuring and coordinating the highest quality of education and training provision, in order to fulfil the needs of employers and individuals across the UK motorsport industry. As such, the Motorsport Academy will nurture, support and strengthen the UK's £5 billion industry to ensure the UK remains the global hub of motorsport.

The core objective of the Academy is to raise productivity in the motorsport industry through the coordination and improvement of existing training provision, as well as providing a focus for new programmes that will respond directly to employers' needs. The Academy will both directly lead and facilitate a range of actions, including establishing National Occupational Standards and other qualifications specific to the UK motorsport industry and developing a quality assured `kite mark' for education and training provision that will become an exemplar for other sectors. It will also research future industry requirements for skills, education and knowledge, and identify and disseminate industry-wide best practice.

Bob Gilbert, Chairman of Motorsport Development UK, said: “I'm very happy that we've awarded the contract to a partnership that clearly understands the aims and requirements of the Academy and that has a proven track-record in delivering learning and support programmes to the public and private sectors.”

“Over the next three years, the Motorsport Academy will help more than 12,000 people to improve their skills and qualifications. It will aid over 2,500 people to secure employment and assist more than 250 businesses to improve their performance, all of whom will contribute to increasing productivity and innovation across the UK motorsport sector, thus securing its place on the world stage.”

David Allison of Carter & Carter and director of the UK Motorsport Academy said: “The Academy represents an excellent opportunity for us to transfer our knowledge of running employer-led programmes to the motorsport industry. We are already working with our partners, the MIA, employers and education providers to ensure the very best support for this innovative and exciting sector.”

Peter Digby, Chairman of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) and Managing Director of Xtrac said: “Employers in our industry will welcome this support provided by Government. The MIA has long pressed for the Motorsport Academy and our members look forward to playing a full part in its successful delivery. The main asset on which our world beating industry relies is the skill of our employees and we need to ensure education and training is in step with our fast moving high performance industry.”

The Motorsport Academy is another key element of Motorsport Development UK's integrated strategy that provides vital support for the sport and the industry it serves. Building upon other programmes such as the Learning Grid, the Academy will make a pivotal contribution to the principal aims of Motorsport Development UK, namely to:

• Sustain and strengthen the existing UK motorsport industry and sport
• Develop and grow the capability of individuals and of the whole sector to embrace change and make the most of new opportunities
• Re-connect motorsport to other industry sectors and to society, leading to a transfer of knowledge and capability that brings mutual benefits

The Motorsport Academy contract was awarded to Carter and Carter upon completion of a competitive tender process. Funding support until March 2009 has been made available by the four Regional Development Agencies who effectively encompass `Motorsport Valley', and from the Department of Trade & Industry. From April 2009, the Academy will become self-sustaining, supported by a combination of income generating activities and potential further assistance from both private and wider public sector partners.

Notes to Editors

About Motorsport Development UK

Motorsport Development UK is a partnership of public and private sector organisations that is leading a five-year investment programme to sustain and develop UK motorsport. This unique collaboration is supported by the four Regional Development Agencies at the heart of Motorsport Valley - Advantage West Midlands, East of England Development Agency, East Midlands Development Agency and South East England Development Agency - together with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

The overall objective of Motorsport Development UK is business and economic development for the motor sport sector. The programme stimulates action in several key areas, by working with and part-funding programmes delivered by motorsport stakeholders. Examples include Energy Efficient Motorsport, support for the training of volunteer officials, programmes aimed at widening participation in the sport and a `Learning Grid' of education programmes.

Contact: Patrick Peal or Mike Stainton, Band & Brown Communications
Tel:
Email: /

About Carter & Carter

Carter & Carter plc is a leading provider of outsourced support services and learning solutions for a number of major employers particularly in the automotive industry, national and local Learning & Skills Councils and Learndirect. They have established partnerships within both the FE and HE sectors and have a wealth of experience of identifying and delivering government and ESF funded programmes.

Contact: Dianne Allen, Gemini PR & Marketing
Tel: 0

About the Motorsport Industry Association

The MIA was founded in 1994 by Chief Executives from the Motorsport and High Performance Engineering Industries. It is the world's only specialist trade association for the Motorsport Industry. The MIA leads many initiatives within the Motorsport and High Performance Engineering sectors to develop and increase education and employment, innovation, technology and its transfer, intellectual property and its exploitation, and new product development in partnership with non-Motorsport industries.

Contact: Gordon Bruce, Gordon Bruce Associates Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)1494 431823. Fax: +44 (0)1494 432833
Email:

Back to latest press releases