Honda Institute Scoops Top Industry Award

Honda has triumphed in the "Oscars" of the Motor Industry, the Motor Trader Industry Awards. At a lavish ceremony for this year’s awards, the Japanese company took the coveted Training Award for the performance of its UK training operation, the Honda Institute.

The award was presented to Pauline Wiseman, Head of the Honda Institute by Mike Allmond, Managing Director of ReMIT Ltd, who sponsored the award.

The Training Award was open to all companies in the UK automotive sector. The judges looked for evidence of a systematic approach to investment in the workforce as well as innovative and successful training methods.

In Honda they found it. The Honda Institute provides personal development programmes for the 10,000 people within the company's three franchised networks of cars, motorcycles and power equipment. Structured training programmes result in turnover among its "People First" recruits of less than 8 per cent per year – compared to 30 per cent across the network as a whole. It also contributes towards reduced dealer costs and 20 per cent higher levels of apprenticeship participation, with a drop out rate well below 10 per cent.

Extensive training facilities are provided for all staff, from motorcycle mechanics to sales executives and in addition, last year more than 800 training events were held in Honda franchised car dealerships throughout the UK.

Curtis Hutchinson, editor of Motor Trader said: "In an industry where staff turnover is high, morale is often low, and where training is not always a priority, it’s good to report an exception. Honda recognises that having good staff is crucial to success, and with the Honda Institute it is really making a difference."

Now in their twelfth year, the Motor Trader Industry Awards are the most prestigious within the motor industry. This year’s event, held at Le Meridien Grosvenor House Hotel attracted 1,200 guests from all sectors of the motor trade.

A total of 16 awards were presented, all acknowledging excellence and achievements in a cross section of business activities from franchised dealers, independent garages and manufacturers to e-marketing, business improvement and innovation.