TOYOTA has opened a new training centre to impart maintenance and production skills to European employees.

The pan-European Global Production Centre is part of Toyota’s vehicle manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, and represents an investment of £11.3 million. The 18 staff will train 1,000 employees a year.

Sir Alan Jones, Toyota’s executive vice-president, manufacturing group, said: ‘Our objective is to create a work environment where Toyota’s team members are contributing and learning, because their contributions and their development spur the innovation that makes Toyota a strong company.

‘And while this training centre will benefit our European team members, ultimately it is our customers who are the true winners.’