Toyota has “the Edge”, winning Employer Award 2006

Toyota (GB) PLC is the national organisation winner of the Edge Employer Awards 2006, receiving £50,000 to invest in training.

Edge is an educational foundation that campaigns for practical and vocational learning opportunities for young people aged 14 to 25. Its award to Toyota was made in recognition of the company’s commitment to vocational learning through its vehicle technician apprentice training scheme.

Training is at the heart of Toyota’s operations, both through the work of the two Toyota Academies in the UK and the integration of training at all levels within the company. In 2005, Toyota announced a £10 million investment (now currently £14 million) in its new Nottingham academy, in conjunction with the East Midlands Development Agency and the Learning and Skills Council. The project will also involve the Greater Nottingham Partnership Castle College and Nottingham Regeneration Ltd as partners. In Surrey, Toyota continues to offer excellent learning facilities for young staff at its academy at Salfords, near Gatwick.

In a ground-breaking move, Toyota has extended its training opportunities to young offenders, supporting a vehicle technician apprentice scheme at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution. This gives 36 inmates the chance to work towards nationally recognised vocational qualifications, helping them prepare for useful employment on their release.

Toyota’s Employer Award was announced at a ceremony at London’s Roundhouse theatre on 28 November. Toyota took the title ahead of contenders from the top level of British business, including Volkswagen Group UK, Honda Institute, Jaguar, Land Rover, BT Openreach, Sodexho UK, Kier Building Management, Thomson TUI UK, Whitbread Groups PLC and Dolland and Aitchison.

“We are delighted to award this accolade to Toyota,” said Edge chief executive Andy Powell. “These awards are about rewarding organisations that are addressing head-on the need for a well trained and highly skilled work force, and Toyota is doing just that.”

Sarah Fisher, Toyota’s Director Customer Relations HR and Training, said: “I am proud that Toyota’s continuous investment in training and the positive results which can be achieved have been recognised in this way. We can continue to progress our work further with the funds available and our congratulations go to Gary Harlock and his team at the Nottingham Academy.”