Car manufacturing giant to relocate UK training centre

South Korean car manufacturing giant Kia is set to relocate its UK training centre from Ruddington to St. Modwen Park Derby, creating around 15 permanent jobs.

The new centre will be operated by Skillsnet and provide training for Kia’s workshop and dealership staff.

Derby City Council, which has signalled its assent, said the new Academy would “give rise to a number of economic, social and environmental benefits.”

The development “accords fully with the development plan and the outline planning permission”, planning chiefs say.

The site is currently under construction.

In April, St. Modwen committed to invest nearly £60m in the next phase of St. Modwen Park Derby. A further 350,000 sq ft of warehouse space is expected to be built at the industrial and logistics park on Wyvern Way, with completion due next year.

St. Modwen has already invested more than £45m in Derby, attracting international occupiers Vaillant and Getinge in the process.