Van maker’s SOS to apprentices

FIAT makes history with manufacturing move

Production is under way at the Stellantis factory in Luton of the FIAT Professional Scudo light commercial vehicle.

It is the first time that FIAT vehicles will have been manufactured in the UK and vehicles manufactured at Luton will be produced in both right- and left-hand drive for the UK and European markets.

Luton continues to build the internal combustion derivatives of Stelantis’ models the Vauxhall Vivaro, Opel Vivaro, Citroën Jumpy, Citroën Dispatch and Peugeot Expert LCVs. The factory has been given the manufacturing of the Scudo to help the company keep pace with strong demand and growing order books for the vehicle, Stellantis says.

Plant director Mark Noble said: “It is great news for Luton Plant to start manufacturing the FIAT Professional Scudo. This means we now produce all of the Stellantis brands mid-sized LCVs, for both the UK and the European markets.”

The Scudo will continue to also be produced at Hordain inFrance where the battery electric e-Scudo version is manufactured for all markets.

Van maker issues call to apprentices

Like many industries, the automotive sector is facing the constant challenge of sourcing the talent of the future and bringing it to its ranks.

Now Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, part of the Volkswagen Group whose National Learning Centre is in Milton Keynes, has issued an appeal to school leavers to consider apprenticeships in the industry as an alternative to further education as students continue to digest their GCSE results revealed in August.

The number of apprentices across the UK starting new courses has fallen by seven per cent since 2018, leaving many trades short of future talent. Less than one in four apprenticeships starts were for those aged under 19, research shows.

Apprenticeships offered by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles include roles in an industry undergoing a technological transformation. Young workers can opt for apprenticeships as a service technician, parts adviser or service adviser, where they learn from expert technicians.

The programmes are tailored specifically to help apprentices to develop and hone their skills, using both practical and theoretical learning in the brand’s Van Centres as well as at the Volkswagen Group’s National Learning Centre at Wymbush.

“Perceptions of workshops and garages are still very outdated so we would encourage people to get in touch to see what it is really like,” says head of network sales Rob Holdcroft. “The skills gained via apprenticeships open up many opportunities for the future in a modern, electric and digital company.”

Students require a minimum of GCSE grades A-C (new grades 9-4) or an equivalent qualification in English, Maths and Science to apply, with applications open all year round.

“Working in a Van Centre is an exciting, varied and evolving experience,” says Mr Holdcroft. “Apprenticeships are a great alternative to further education, offering fantastic opportunities to learn and earn at the same time.”

Advertisement Feature Published on behalf of Capital Space, operator of Milton Keynes Business Centre

Environment adds even more creativity to our process

Pictured (from left) Tom Barrington, Chris Tilt and account manager Patrick Barrington

When it comes to project management, Makilo is in it for the long game. Welcome to a business

Makilo also works with organisations including the National Energy Foundation, also based in the city near Bletchley Park. Each project begins with

that likes to sit down with its clients, discuss their project and work with them in order for both they and the client to explore and understand fully the aspirations and goals they are being set.

Makilo is a creative development agency, creating websites, apps and more that have the simple aim of helping clients to work more efficiently. “We design, develop and support digital projects for clients looking to change, grow or simply fix the things that matter most to them,” says managing director Chris Tilt.

Makilo delivers creative strategy, websites and web applications, design and art direction, and digital marketing services for UK and international businesses, not-for-profit organisations and individuals from its base at Milton Keynes Business Centre on Linford Wood.

Founded in 2016, the company has evolved from supporting other creative agencies around the UK to focusing on its own developing client base in and around Milton Keynes, working with them to achieve their digital transition.

It was a deliberate decision made in the aftermath of the pandemic and Makilo is a regular at business events around the city, in particular at those organised by technology forum Biztech.

One of its latest projects is an app developed for The Parks Trust, the organisation which maintains and manages the 6,000 acres of green space in Milton Keynes. The app is proving highly effective in the Trust’s management of its trees, woodlands and green spaces with staff able to conduct surveys and inspections while out on site, enabling The Parks Trust to complete the work swiftly and more efficiently. a workshop in Makilo’s headquarters at Milton Keynes Business Centre at which the client, other stakeholders and Makilo discuss the project from inception through to finish, what it is looking to achieve and how best to get there. “The workshops are at the heart of it,” says Makilo co-founder and lead developer Tom Barrington. “We find that the whole process becomes much more creative in that environment.” Makilo is fitting out its unit at Milton Keynes Business Centre to make the premises inspirational to visitors. The company is also planning a series of Open Door events at which businesses are welcome to drop by to discuss creative development issues they are facing. The fact they can do so is down to the supportive and welcoming environment at Milton Keynes Business Centre itself. Makilo’s directors knew instantly they had found the right place when their search for premises brought them to Linford Wood. “What sealed it for us was the centre’s transparency,” says Chris. ”We knew exactly what level of service we were going to receive and it filled us with confidence that this was the right place.” Their hunch has proved correct. “Flexibility is important and we knew we wanted to grow,” says Tom. Makilo moved into studio premises at Milton Keynes Business Centre before expanding into the company’s current larger unit. ”The centre knew our ambitions and have done everything to help us achieve them.” One last question, I ask: Where does Makilo come from? “Simple,” says Chris. “Think of the phonetic alphabet. Mike and Kilo… MK.”