Cambridge & Counties Bank, who offer finance for classic car purchases, have announced they are to become official ‘Finance Partner’ to the Federation of Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC). The announcement took place at the NEC Classic Motor Show on Friday 9th November, where key figures from the classic car community gathered on board a vintage bus to hear about what the partnership means for the future of the historic vehicle industry.
The partnership will see the bank, which launched its specialist classic car division in the spring, support the FBHVC’s Heritage Engineering apprenticeship scheme, held at the Heritage Skills Academy at Bicester Heritage.
The Heritage Skills Academy brings together experts from across the restoration industry who are committed to teaching the skills required to preserve and restore pre and post-war engineering heritage. The course is the only one of its kind accredited by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations (OFQUAL). Students that complete the full term will leave with a nationally recognised Advanced Diploma in Heritage Engineering with an option to specialise for a further year. The course covers a range of sectors, including classic motor vehicles, aviation, marine and steam. The main focus is on students aged between 16 and 18 years of age and the Academy is supported by the Government Trailblazer scheme.
Cambridge & Counties Bank will be supporting the FBHVC’s Heritage Skills Academy by providing a £10,000 bursary. The money will be made available via an application process to help with travel and accommodation.
The support however is not just financial, as Cambridge & Counties Bank will also be designing and delivering the business modules within the curriculum as well. Managers and key subject experts from within the bank will be passing on training to ensure the apprentices are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to run a business and manage finances.
Mike Kirsopp, CEO of Cambridge & Counties Bank explains; “It is vitally important that we nurture and support skills for the future. Apprentices entering the world of heritage engineering will likely be working within small businesses or a business of their own and so equipping them with the understanding of finance, cash flow, accounting and asset management will be critical to their future success. We have the expertise and passion here at Cambridge & Counties Bank to support these students and play our part in preserving the future for historic vehicles.”
David Whale, Chairman of the FBHVC said ahead of the launch; “Having Cambridge & Counties Bank as our finance partner will help the federation in its work to champion the cause of transport heritage in the UK. The bank’s approach to supporting our students through a balance of commercial assistance and the offer of training and apprenticeships reflects their obvious commitment to supporting the classic car sector and the thousands of skilled jobs it creates.”
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