A senior manager from Oldham is celebrating becoming the first in the country to graduate from a new two-year management training course.
Jason Chisnall, brand manager at Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen in Oldham, recently completed the course launched by Volkswagen UK’s training academy to retain the top talent in the industry.
It completes a double celebration for Jason, as he marks 20 years in the motor industry late this year.
The 40-year-old’s career has see him work his way up to the very top, after he began as a petrol pump attendant in 1991.
Since then Jason has progressed as a sales executive, business manager, sales manager and now brand manager.
He said: “I am delighted to be one of the first to complete the course and impressed by how much knowledge I’ve gained.
“Support from colleagues at Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen has helped enormously and given me the time to study for this course.
“The qualification has given me extra information and experience to ensure customers are provided with the service they need from all staff.”
Jason had to pass tough exams in law, customer service, product knowledge, coaching and recruitment to gain the NVQ Level 4 equivalent qualification.
The culmination of the course, which was assessed by exams and interviews, was a three month project which was presented to a panel of Volkswagen directors.
Jason is one of only thirty graduates from the Volkswagen scheme in the UK.