Europe’s First Apprenticeship in Historic Vehicle Restoration Launched

THE Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs has announced a new apprenticeship scheme designed to boost the valuable industry that supports keeping our cars on the road.

This Apprenticeship framework will allow colleges to run an apprenticeship with government funding for the students, in maintaining, repairing and restoring historic and classic light vehicles and motorcycles. This has been backed by the MG Car Club, Bicester Heritage and Banbury and Bicester College.

Following this approval, the vehicle restoration apprenticeship scheme can now be adopted by any college who have the necessary facilities and teaching staff. It runs for 2 or 3 years and is based both at college and in the workplace, to give a general training in all aspects of vehicle restoration skills.

This includes the theory, practical work and finally the competence to perform these tasks. The 3^rd year can be used to develop further specialist skills in specific areas. The government is generally funding colleges who take 16 to 18 year old students on to apprenticeship schemes.

Banbury & Bicester College, and S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol, have already announced their intent to run the course from September 2014 and it is expected that further announcements will follow, from other colleges who have been closely following the scheme.

Further details on the FBHVC Historic Vehicle Restoration Apprenticeship can be found here.

Bicester Heritage are establishing a centre of excellence for restoration companies at the ex RAF Bicester site, where the launch of the scheme took place, and further details can be found here.

Words and photo by Steve Clark