Apprentices turn to classic
For the first time UK apprentices will restore a classic car from start to finish – a 1955 Series 4 Lancia Aurelia.
For the first time ever in the UK a nut and bolt restoration of a classic car is to be undertaken by apprentices who are serving their time at a Shropshire company.
The six apprentices are all employed by Classic Motor Cars Ltd (CMC) and will be given the chance to re-build the car and learn the complete restoration process. They will strip the Lancia and then assess what needs to be replaced, restored or remade. They have been given 14 months to complete the restoration of the car.
‘We carry out restorations for customers around the world,’ said Peter Neumark, the chairman of CMC, ‘but as far as we know this is the first time that apprentices in the UK have been given the opportunity of restoring a car from scratch themselves.
‘Apprentices are extremely important in the world of classic cars, which is worth several billions to the UK economy every year. It is essential that they learn the skills to keep classic vehicles on the road. We are proud of the fact that currently we have one apprentice for every ten members of our workforce.’
Local MP and minister of state for defence procurement, Philip Dunne will officially unveil the project tomorrow. He said, ‘This is a really great project for these six young apprentices, who will be restoring a classic car, from start to finish.
‘During the last Parliament we saw the biggest ever increase with over two million people starting an apprenticeship, including more than 3,000 in the Ludlow Constituency. The Government is committed to going further and delivering three million more apprenticeships by 2020, so I am delighted Classic Motors Cars are playing their part and giving local apprentices the chance to gain skills while working on this exciting vehicle restoration.’
