Suzuki has initiated a dealer development and training programme while Honda is dir - ecting its efforts rights now at an apprenticeship programme.

Suzuki says its programme will ensure its customers get the best after sales service the dealers can provide. Central to the programme is a training course in support of the launch of the 200 to 250hp V6 4-stroke range - to ensure the highest standards of installation and after sales care, it is mandatory for any dealership wishing to become a Suzuki V6 Service Centre to have a technician who has successfully completed the course.

Held at the company's Crawley training centre and workshops, the three day course covers the stripping, reassembly and running, with an evaluation of the motor's condition and performance through the engine's diagnostic system.

Following successful completion, technicians are awarded a Certificate of Competence, provided with free Suzuki V6 work wear and the Suzuki V6 diagnostics computer software.

A specialist trainer is then brought in for an optional one day rigging course - correct rigging and set-up being critical to the optimum performance of the motor and boat.

As a further incentive, successful trainees can take part in the Suzuki Dealer RYA Powerboat Class 2 Training Programme, free of charge.

"This is part of a substantial investment in our marine business, " said Barry Everett, director of technical services at Suzuki GB. "The after sales field support team has been increased and we now have a dedicated marine training officer not only running courses but also providing additional technical support to dealers."

Investment in our training workshop includes the installation of a 750 gallon test tank capable of accommodating the largest motors in our range."

Honda's apprenticeship scheme Honda launched its marine apprentice scheme to its UK dealers at the recent Southampton Boat Show. Run by The Honda Institute - Honda (UK)'s training and development division - the programme will help prepare for the future technical requirements of Honda's 66 marine dealers in the UK.

"It's a 24-month course with 13, one-week modular blocks, " said Gareth Ebenezer, business development manager at The Honda Institute. "Apprentices can join the programme at any time and the first intake is scheduled for early 2005."

The ultimate benefit for the dealers is, says Honda, new blood in the workshop. And this, according to Phill Haynes, national sales manager for ATV and marine, can't come too soon.

"Our 4-stroke outboard business has grown 39% in three years, " Haynes told BB.

"Our dealers are at bursting point, so they need qualified staff to help them out."

But while the programme takes 24 months, Ebenezer says the benefits to the dealership start almost immediately.

"We look for the right attitude in our apprentices - attitude is more important to us than qualifications because we want people who are enthusiastic, ambitious, prepared to work hard, determined to succeed and committed to building a rewarding career with Honda in the marine industry, " he said.

"And that type of person brings benefits to a dealership from the start."

The programme, which will cost Honda around £750,000 a year, is free to dealerships and is run by Honda's experienced team of trainers, with some modules at ITE Training: "They have expertise and facilities in areas like boat building that we don't, " said Ebenezer.

In the first year each week's block of training focuses on a different area, with a Honda induction and job-specific modules early on, followed by measurement and tooling, marine safety, electrical and engine principles, marine fuelling principles and an introduction to the Honda BF range.

The second year covers Honda fuel systems, marine propulsion systems, marine electrics and diagnostics and concludes with the NVQ L2 assessment. All learning is reinforced in the dealership as the apprentice grows to become a productive technician.

The programme is split between courses run at the Honda Institute in Colnbrook near Heathrow and four modules run at the ITE Training facilities at Fareham on the south coast.

Training forms a major part of Honda's business ethos, with every employee - from shop floor to top management - benefiting from a range of programmes designed to help their personal and business development.

Dealers can often resist the idea of training, thinking they pay for expensive training only to see their qualified staff leave and join the competition. "But that's not true in our bike and car divisions, " said Ebenezer, explaining that both divisions had recruited some 300 service and parts apprentices in three years. "And as the Honda training doesn't cost the dealer anything, all he has to pay for is travel and local accommodation."

Haynes adds: "Training is now becoming an integral part of our dealer business plans and far from losing staff, training actually improves staff retention as people can see a clear career for themselves."

It also, he says, increases skills transfer in the dealerships, drastically increases first-time fix rates, improves morale and ultimately improves the health of the business, boosting profitability and customer satisfaction.

Successful apprenticeship graduates will achieve NVQ L2 in Marine Engineering and a recognised City & Guilds Technical Certificate. They become licensed Honda "Maintenance Technicians" and are provided with clear development plans to take them on to "Diagnostic Technician" status.

From Honda's point of view, training is all about developing our business and our dealers' business, " said Ebenezer.

"Profitability depends greatly on one thing - customer satisfaction. So the better we can help our dealers train their staff, the more their customers are satisfied. And that means our dealers are more profitable and, ultimately Honda is more profitable."