The Automotive Academy has staged the second of its rolling launch programme for its London and East of England spoke.

Based at CEME, the centre for manufacturing and engineering excellence, in Rainham, Essex, academy personnel were joined by nearly one hundred automotive training providers, vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers to hear how the spoke will work to raise the skills of motor industry workforce.

The new spoke covers the greater London area, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, but will be based at CEME, alongside the Ford engine manufacturing facility. John Bradley, the spoke manager for the region will be leading the drive to provide support and training to the 1,088 companies in the region's industry and the supply chain.

Patrick McCall, Automotive Academy project manager, said: “The Automotive Academy has, over the past eight months, been working very closely with Ford at Dagenham, to deliver academy courses in lean tools and techniques, aligned to the Ford production system.

“We're both fully committed to ensuring that this success is built upon, not only for existing employees, but also as a fundamental part of the new employee programme at the brand new engine facility.”