Dealer group Peter Vardy has launched its own company-wide training academy which will work with its 500 employees across its seven dealerships.

Edinburgh Napier University will serve as the academy’s partner, providing endorsement for the initial programme for an executive certificate in professional selling.

The Napier link will also enable Peter Vardy colleagues to move onto under-graduate level programmes with the university.

The academy will be based at Peter Vardy’s head office in Glasgow with the majority of training programmes delivered face to face across the dealerships and via e-learning modules.

New sales recruits will receive an initial four weeks of training with regular refresher programmes delivered throughout their career within the business.

Peter Vardy, chief executive of Peter Vardy Limited, said: “The development of the Peter Vardy Academy underlines our commitment to deliver the best possible experience for both customers and colleagues.

“Training our people is something we take very seriously and the launch of the academy will help ensure we promote best practice across the entire group while creating and maintaining the best possible standards in customer service.”

Vardy said it gives him a “real buzz” when staff at the group graduate from technical apprentice and sales rookie level to go on to senior positions within the business.

He said: “The on-going training that we will deliver through our academy will help us nurture and develop more of our great talent.”

Huw Roberts, Group HR director at PVL, said: “The Academy reflects both our commitment to colleagues and customers. It's crucial we recruit, motivate and retain talented people if we are to continue to enhance the customer experience.

“Customers want to speak to human beings who take the time understand their needs – this is the key focus of our approach, as well as providing the technical skills our colleagues need to be the best in the industry.”

PVL was launched in June 2006 and now has seven new and used car dealerships in Edinburgh, Perth, Kirkcaldy, Aberdeen and Motherwell with four franchises including BMW, Mini, Vauxhall and Chevrolet.

The group has been in the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to work for three years in a row.