A new £1.5m training centre for motor mechanics is set to open in Croydon next year. The centre, being opened by ReMIT, the training arm of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI), will serve light vehicle mechanics and electricians. Equipped with the latest tools and IT systems, the facility is scheduled to open its doors in May 2003. More than 700 trainees from across the south east will be able to use it at any one time.

Mike Allmond, managing director of ReMIT says: “This is a major first for the RMI, and is ReMIT's first wholly owned training centre. If it proves to be as successful as we expect, it will be the precursor to many more.”

The centre could prove to be popular with manufacturers. Allmond explains: “Several of the large manufacturers, including VW, Ford, and BMW have expressed an interest in using the centre for their own training purposes.”