TrustFord is using apprenticeship levy funds to launch a new leadership and management programme for over 600 of the group’s managers and supervisors.

‘Leading E-Motions’ has been created and delivered by The Engagement Coach and is focused on improving emotional leadership skills, helping to create “a happy and engaging environment for colleagues”.

TrustFord is taking 70 colleagues through the Level 3 Team Leading Apprenticeship Standard. Colleagues currently working towards this standard represent multiple divisions of the business.

This element of the programme is supported by Skillnet and the TrustFord learning and development team. Participants’ progress will be logged by Skillnet’s Skills Coaches via their new eTrack system.

Once the programme is complete, colleagues can become associate members of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), with the option to progress to Higher Level Management Apprenticeships which are also fundable via the levy.

The programme educates colleagues on how to be better managers, showing them how they can effectively look after themselves, their teams and their customers, and will evidence how this is impacting their day-to-day behaviour in areas such as operations, project management, self-awareness, personal development, communication and decision making.

Stuart Foulds, TrustFord chairman and chief executive, said: “At TrustFord we are committed to attracting new talent to the automotive industry, and one of the key ways we do so is through our apprentice programme.

“A dynamic, talented workforce is essential if we are to continue to remain the most productive and innovative automotive sector in Europe.”