Ryder Donates HGV Vehicle For Launch Of 2010 Trainee Technician Apprentice Programme

Online, October 12, 2010 (Newswire.com) - RYDER DONATES HGV VEHICLE FOR LAUNCH OF 2010 TRAINEE TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

Ryder Europe has donated a 7.5.tonne DAF truck to City of Bristol College for its 2010 Trainee Apprenticeship Programme, which provides technical maintenance and repair training to aspiring maintenance professionals The vehicle, originally part of the Ryder fleet, will enable trainees to get real hands-on experience in maintaining and repairing a working truck.

Ten trainees are now embarking on the three-year programme, which will result in their achieving the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Level 3 Certificate & Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. This most recent DAF truck donation is in addition to previous donations by Ryder Europe of a tractor unit and TEXA diagnostic computer to City of Bristol College.

"The kind donation by Ryder of this DAF truck and the supporting test equipment to their Trainee Technician apprenticeship training programme will enable students to develop their understanding of the latest diagnostic procedures and keep them up to date with the advances in commercial vehicle technology," said John Taylor, Head of Faculty, Transport Technology at City of Bristol College.

The programme combines on-the-job training in Ryder maintenance workshops with structured learning delivered through academic study at the City of Bristol College. The Trainees attend College for two-week periods, four times a year.

Over 220 candidates applied for a place in this year's programme, and 110 attended Assessment Centres to undergo a structured interview, behavioural tests, and interactive group assessments. The trainees will be based at Ryder locations across the country, including Park Royal, Enfield, Avonmouth, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Coventry, Heathrow, Warrington and Manchester.

Nine out of ten trainees have graduated from the programme this year and taken on roles within Ryder. Five of these graduates have elected to do a fourth year of training. Ryder has an excellent retention record for those employees who have completed the Trainee Technician Apprenticeship programme and believes it is is a worthwhile investment to train new talent in the industry.

"Ryder is proud to partner with City of Bristol College, one of the best HGV training colleges in the country, to help develop a skilled technician workforce for the future," added Steve Mulley, Operations Director for Ryder. "We are pleased to donate this vehicle to the College and help provide trainees with the hands-on experience they need to become successful maintenance professionals."

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For further information please contact Colin Peck on 01784 482336 or Garry Hague on 07795 644284

About Ryder
Ryder Europe was established in 1971 and has grown through acquisition and organic development into a sizeable force in transportation with turnover of £158m and a fleet size of 12,855.

Its European business focuses on commercial vehicle rental and contract hire, maintenance and contract drivers operating from 23 locations, of which 16 are rental locations.

Ryder Europe is part of Ryder System, Inc. a Fortune 500 provider of leading-edge transportation solutions worldwide, founded in Miami, Florida in 1933.
www.ryder.com