Maranello, Friday 21 October 2011 - Robert Llewellyn, TV personality and presenter of CH5's popular How Do They Do It? series, was at Ferrari North Europe's new Apprentices facilities in London today, where he met the 11 new Ferrari Apprentices who have just been enrolled in a new 3-year Ferrari Apprenticeship programme. Robert Llewellyn commented: "Meeting the Apprentices at Ferrari was inspirational. They are clearly an exceptional group of young people who have been given the opportunity many would only dream of. Teaching young people the skills in science, engineering and technology they will learn on this apprentice programme is vital to our future."

Competition for the 11 places was fierce, with over 1,000 applicants from school-leavers who dreamed of working for the famous Italian Prancing Horse. The successful candidates will be employed at Ferrari dealerships throughout the UK and will attend 24 weeks of dedicated Ferrari training at Ferrari North Europe's head office during the 3 year programme. The training will include hands-on diagnostic and mechanical training on the current range of Ferrari models such as the Ferrari 458 Italia; the Apprentices will also have access to other models from Ferrari's recent past, including the F430 Coupe, to ensure they have the necessary skills to confidently service the cars they are most likely to see in the workshop at their dealerships.

Matteo Torre, Regional Manager Ferrari North Europe, commented: "We are delighted to welcome the new Apprentices to Ferrari and were overwhelmed by the interest in this programme. This project is part of the Ferrari philosophy of investing in young talent and we are proud to continue this philosophy through the Ferrari North Europe Apprentice Programme and to ensure that the Ferrari dealer network has a continual supply of high quality, knowledgeable and expertly trained apprentices who will hopefully become the Ferrari technicians of the future."

Ferrari North Europe's investment in the new Apprenticeship facilities amounts to over £500,000 and includes:

- a commitment from the Official Ferrari Dealers in the UK to take on at least one apprentice for the duration of the 3-year Apprentice Programme.
- two new purposely-designed classrooms (92 sq m) with 11 computer terminals for online assessments and for computer-based learning, in addition to the two classrooms currently available for technical training for dealer staff.
- a dedicated and fully-equipped workshop of 324 sq m with two vehicle ramps and over £20,000 of tools and equipment for Apprentices to receive hands-on training for servicing and maintaining Ferrari cars.
- a Ferrari Technical Training Instructor dedicated to providing courses and tuition for the Ferrari North Europe Apprentice Programme.
- a number of vehicles and service parts for hands-on technical training and diagnostics tuition, including some of the most highly innovative products from the Ferrari range such as the 458 Italia and F430 Coupe.
The Ferrari North Europe Apprentice Programme is open to all school leavers aged 16 or over, and includes in-house and in-dealer training for 3 years, with 24 weeks of specific training at Ferrari North Europe's head office during the 3 year programme.

The Rt Hon Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State:
I am pleased to hear of your support for Apprenticeship programmes in manufacturing and engineering and for the "See Inside Manufacturing" initiative. It is good to know that organisations such as Ferrari are committed to Apprenticeships and are continuing to invest in them.

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of the SMMT:
"Attracting bright young talent into the automotive sector is key to our long term success. Apprentice programmes like this ensure young people are encouraged and developed to reach their full potential. Whether it's in design, development and manufacturing or retail and aftersales activity, there are a whole range of career options within the motor industry and with the ever-growing rate of technological development, now is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the sector."

Sarah Sillars OBE FIMI, Executive Chair of the Institute of the Motor Industry:
"Today's presentation is about recognition - the acknowledgement of individual and collective achievement in a challenging but equally rewarding business environment, the retail motor industry. Apprenticeships are the proven way for businesses to train their workforce and can make an organisation more effective, productive and competitive by addressing skills gaps directly, even in uncertain economic times. With over 12,000 young people beginning an automotive apprenticeship last year, these Ferrari apprentices can be confident that they have chosen a great way to start their career."

The new Ferrari North Europe Apprentices are:
Fred Hopkins, 18 - Carrs of Exeter, Exeter
Georgina Slack, 18 - JCT600, Leeds
Jack Twohey, 18 - Maranello Egham, Egham, Surrey
Jade Harrison, 18 - Joe Macari Servicing, Wandsworth, London
James Prior, 17 - H.R. Owen Sports Cars, Park Royal, London
James Slocombe, 16 - Meridien Modena, Lyndhurst, Hampshire
Liam Carter, 16 - Graypaul, Birmingham
Luke Alston, 18 - Lancaster, Colchester
Richard Henley, 19 - Stratstone, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Stephen Burrows, 16 - Graypaul, Nottingham
Stuart Dunk, 17 - Maranello, Egham, Surrey