Auto Engine Tune, the Swindon-based car repair business, has been named as a finalist in the VQ Employer of the Year awards for its outstanding support for staff undertaking vocational qualifications (VQs).
The nomination in the SME category recognises family-run business’s passion in supporting and developing the skills of local people. 
The Upper Stratton firm also takes an active role in local schools to provide work experience opportunities.
Training apprentices has allowed Auto Engine Tune to develop a highly-skilled workforce, maintain its high standards of customer service and bring fresh ideas to the business.
Auto Engine Tune joins five other organisations in with a chance of winning the VQ Employer of the Year Award, which is split into two categories – SMEs and large organisations – and is sponsored by City & Guilds.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Westminster on the June 3 where the awards will be presented by skills and enterprise minister Matthew Hancock.
A spokesman for Auto Engine Tune said: “We’re absolutely delighted that our investment in employees taking up vocational education has been recognised in this year’s VQ Employer of the Year Awards. Not only do vocational qualifications help the individual achieve their career goals, but they are also hugely beneficial to us as a business.”
The day after the awards is VQ Day – an annual event led by independent education charity, the Edge Foundation which aims to celebrate the benefits of technical, practical and vocational learning, not only to the individual but also to UK plc. From 16 year olds to those over 60, VQ Day celebrates the acquisition of new skills and encourages parity of esteem between high quality vocational qualifications and academic ones.
Edge Foundation CEO Jan Hodges said: “Auto Engine Tune has been shortlisted for this year's VQ Employer of the Year Award for championing technical, practical and vocational skills within its workforce. It's very important for us to recognise companies like Auto Engine Tune that have invested in their people and practical learning. In doing so it sends a strong message about the value of vocational qualifications, training and the benefits they bring to both employers and the economy.”
