John Clark, chairman and managing director of the John Clark Motor Group, is this week to urge the Government to give more support to training in the industry.

Mr Clark is set to make his call at the Motor Industry Training Council's 'New Programmes' launch in Glasgow on Friday.

He will call on the Government to recognise the huge contribution the motor industry makes to the UK economy and the need for more investment in vocational training. Mr Clark will also highlight the importance of the motor industry in its own 'Sector Skills Council', which is aimed at improving workforce skills. He said: “We need the Government to focus more on work-based training and to address the inequality in terms of funding this training between Scotland and England.”

Scottish MP Alex Neil will discuss the importance of Government investment in motor industry training, the channelling of funds to the right people, the benefits of in-work training and the formation of Scotland's Lifelong Learning Strategy, an enterprise designed to guide the industry over the next 20 years.

The launch is being held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow.