Over 530 executives have signed up to the Automotive Academy's new Business Executive Support Programme for automotive industry managers.

The Academy hoped to see 500 people sign up over the course of 2006, but has now exceeded its target 10 months early.

The first part of the programme covers modules such as planning in business, leadership, motivation, principles of marketing, sales essentials and customer service. The manager gets a condensed guide to the '10 most important things you need to know about….' each topic. One printed module is posted to participants each month.

This refresher programme will be followed by a series of self-selected topics taken from a menu of Academy courses covering workplace organisation, statutory regulations, continuous improvement techniques and problem solving.

The third phase, for later in 2006, will involve seminars and workshops to be delivered by a host of industry experts who will provide an in-depth knowledge of the topics selected by participants.

Academy chief executive Dr Alan Begg, said: “It is fantastic that so many people have quickly recognised the benefit of this Academy training product. We all need to refresh our skills and the Business Executive Support Programme helps to brush up on knowledge and fill any gaps. Only by identifying and delivering the skills we need will we succeed in tomorrow's market place.”