Top trio’s trip to international headquarters

An Exeter business has rewarded three of its employees with a trip to Germany after they all qualified from a national training programme.

The trio from Mann Egerton Volkswagen visited the manufacturer’s global factory in Wolfsburg during the visit following the demanding qualifications with the Volkswagen Academy.

Phil Perry from Exeter recently gained his sales specialist status after three years of training. The 31-year-old has spent all his working life in the motor industry, six of which have been at Mann Egerton Volkswagen.

He was joined in Germany by Jonathan Eastment, from Brixham, and Gavin Viney from Newton Abbott, who also qualified as sales specialists after completing the programme, which included customer service and product training, along with both written and practical tests.

Commenting on the trip Phil said: “I’m very grateful to Mann Egerton Volkswagen for giving me the opportunity to visit the impressive headquarters in Wolfsburg.

“The factory visit was a fantastic way to commemorate completing our training. We felt very privileged to walk around the site and enjoyed the celebratory presentation dinner.”

Mann Egerton Volkswagen’s brand manager, Paul Beazley, said: “Jonathan, Phil and Gavin worked very hard to gain their qualifications and it was fantastic to be able to reward them for their efforts.

"We are very lucky to have professionals of their calibre within our team."

EXCLUSIVE CLUB FOR EXETER MANAGER

A Devon man is celebrating joining an exclusive club after being recognised for his outstanding services to the automotive industry.

Paul Beazley, from Brixham was presented with a Volkswagen Gold Pin for exceptional service to the brand, at a recent ceremony in London.

The brand manager at Mann Egerton Volkswagen has over 12 years’ experience in the car industry, including five years at the Marsh Barton site.

Paul, (41), said: “I’m thrilled to have been awarded a Gold Pin, it’s a huge honour.

“The job brings its own rewards through working closely with all members of staff, planning the strategy of the business and working hard to make sure our philosophy of ‘customer first’ is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.”

Only about 20 people from Volkswagen are awarded the Gold Pin every year.

HONITON APPRENTICE TAKES FIRST STEP ON CAREER LADDER

A young car enthusiast from Honiton has embarked on three-year apprenticeship with the aim of becoming the best in the business.

Sixteen-year-old Chance Harris has been accepted by Exeter’s Volkswagen retailer Mann Egerton to be the latest recruit on the technician apprenticeship scheme.

Over the next three years Mann Egerton will invest nearly £30,000 to train Chance through to technician status.

Chance, who has joined straight after leaving Honiton Community College, is looking forward to achieving his ambition of working on Volkswagen vehicles.

He said: “I love all types of vehicles and this is the only job I have ever wanted to do. I am passionate about the Volkswagen brand and I want to go as far in my career as I can.

“I am over the moon to I be given this opportunity and very grateful to Mann Egerton Volkswagen for giving me this chance.”

Mann Egerton’s brand manager, Paul Beazley, said: “In the current economic climate, it’s important local businesses give youngsters the opportunity to learn and develop a career.

“Chance’s passion for cars was one of the main reasons why he’s been given this place on the apprenticeship programme.

“He may only be 16, but I’m confident Chance will come through the three years with flying colours.”

SWINDON APPRENTICES ARE HIRED!

Three years of hard work and training have paid off for two Swindon apprentices after they qualified as a technicians with the town’s Volkswagen, Mann Egerton.

Matthew Ford (23), from Grange Park and Kieran McDonnell (23) from Swindon, joined the Frankland Road retailer in 2008 as apprentices, and have now achieved personal goals to become fully-qualified Volkswagen technicians.

Both Matthew and Kieran are now focusing on their next goals of becoming master technicians, a process which will take a further five years of training.

Mann Egerton Volkswagen’s service manager, Graham Beasant, said: “Matthew and Kieran have both worked diligently during the training programme and fully deserve to reach technician status.

“They are both accomplished and confident technicians and everyone at Mann Egerton is pleased they are forging good careers for themselves.”

Matthew and Kieran completed ‘A’ levels and worked in various jobs before deciding they wanted a career in the automotive industry.

Kieran said: “I’m over the moon to have qualified as this is really the only job I’ve ever wanted to do. I really enjoy the work and I’m looking forward to taking even more qualifications and specialising in particular Volkswagen vehicles.

Matthew added: “We’re both really grateful to Mann Egerton, because they have shown faith in our abilities and backed our ambitions by spending money on the training programme.”

It costs over £40,000 to train a candidate to technician status with further investment to continue developing a technician.

COTSWOLD TREK RAISES THOUSANDS FOR CHILDREN’S CHARITY

A Swindon man has led a charity team on a 40 mile trek to raise almost two thousand pounds for the children’s charity, Action Medical Research, for children, for life.

Jon Owens and his team, the VW Trekkers, took part in the Cotswold Plod and have so far raised £1,750 to help the charity treat sick babies and tackle premature births. The team now hope further donations help them reach their £2,000 target.

The brand manager at Mann Egerton Volkswagen was joined by Simon Gait, John Pitt and Stuart Braley in the VW Trekkers team as they walked 40 miles from Dursley to Cleeve Hill.

The Cotswold Plod started at midnight on June 11th and the VW Trekkers completed the route in just 16 hours 20 minutes, finishing 5th out of the 14 competing teams.

Jon said: “We’re delighted to have completed the trek in such a good time, but more importantly we’ve raised almost £2,000 for such a worthwhile cause.

“We started at night and trekking through the dark early hours was difficult, but when the sun came up, the views were stunning and helped alleviate the injuries we suffered.

“Everyone has very sore legs and plenty of blisters, so we hope people in Swindon and Wiltshire continue to support our walk with further donations.”

To sponsor Jon and his team go to www.action.org.uk/sponsor

HARD WORK PAVES WAY TO SPECIAL AWARD

A sales manager from Swindon has been given an exclusive award after achieving record levels of customer satisfaction.

Howard Dowler from Mann Egerton Volkswagen in Swindon was presented with the regional 2008 Sales Excellence award at a recent ceremony.

Positive feedback from customers and excellent mystery shopping scores helped Howard to win the award on behalf of the Mann Egerton Volkswagen sales team.

For winning the award he received a trophy, certificate and a short holiday to Cyprus.

Howard said: “I’m thrilled to have won this award again, but couldn’t have done it without the hard work from all members of the sales team.

“The team’s ethic is to make sure every customer is given the correct information to enable them to make an informed purchase.”

Jon Owens, brand manager at Mann Egerton, said: “Howard thoroughly deserves this acknowledgment as he has strived to deliver total customer satisfaction.

“His positive attitude has inspired the team and is demonstrated with this award.”

Howard will now be looking to continue the teams’ success in 2009.

If you are interested in this story please contact Richard Knowles on 01902 714 957 or email richard@connect-group.com

TOP TECHNICIAN REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

An Exeter car technician is celebrating reaching the top of his profession after qualifying from a six-year national programme.

Mike Butler (38) recently gained his ‘master technician’ status after undergoing six years of intensive on-the-job training and assessments.

He joined Mann Egerton Volkswagen 15 years ago shortly after graduating from his apprenticeship, and has worked his way through Volkswagen Academy’s training programmes to reach his current level

Now one of the UK’s top Volkswagen technicians, he will pass on his experience to the Marsh Barton site’s apprentice technicians.

He said: “I am over the moon to I have reached the top of my profession and it’s extremely rewarding to know I can now pass on my knowledge and experience to the next generation of technicians.

“I’m very grateful to Mann Egerton Volkswagen for believing in me and for investing in my training.”

Mann Egerton Volkswagen’s after sales manager, Trevor Jackson, said: “Mike is thoroughly professional in his job and this qualification is reward for his efforts.

“The apprentices are lucky to have a technician of his calibre teaching them.”

It costs nearly £40,000 to train an apprentice through to technician status and a further £100,000 for a technician to reach the master technician level.

If you are interested in this story please contact Richard Knowles on 01902 714 957 or email richard@connect-group.com