Mercedes-Benz’s Apprentice Training Programme has received additional government funding to secure the programme for a new intake of 180 apprentices.

At the same time, the company has increased its graduate intake for 2009 and, following an exacting recruitment process, five graduates have been selected from more than 600 applicants to join Mercedes-Benz’s 18-month graduate programme.

The Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Training Academy in Denbigh, Milton Keynes, has received funding of almost £1m through the Learning and Skills Council’s Expanded Apprenticeship Programme. This will be used to support a residential package offered to apprentices who live outside daily travelling distance to Milton Keynes.

Tony Hetherington, technical training manager, Mercedes-Benz UK , says: “This additional funding from the Learning and Skills Council is crucial and recognises the passion and effort that we as a company have put into our Apprentice Training Programme since it was established in 1995.”

For the first time, the Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Training Programme is this year also being offered to other companies — the only criterion being that at least 50% of their business should relate to the servicing of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.