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19 May 2026
Halfords Opens Dunstable Training Centre to Support Next Generation of Automotive Technicians
Dunstable, 19 May 2026: Halfords has today officially opened its training centre in Dunstable marking a further step in the business’s investment in apprenticeships, technical skills and the long-term renewal of the automotive workforce.
The centre, which has been operational since February 2026, has been developed to expand high-quality apprenticeship and technical training capacity, particularly for London and the South East. The site will bring apprentices together for intensive blocks of practical training before they return to their workplace, helping to deliver consistent, employer-led development linked directly to the needs of modern automotive roles.
Halfords currently supports around 300 automotive apprentices across England, Scotland and Wales, up from around 30 apprentices in 2022. The business is committed to growing this programme as demand for skilled technicians increases across the automotive sector.
The centre’s opening comes as the role of the automotive technician continues to evolve. Electric vehicles, advanced diagnostics and digitally enabled servicing are making automotive careers increasingly technical, creating new opportunities for young people and helping to challenge outdated perceptions of the sector.
The Dunstable site was developed in response to a gap in training provision in London and the South East. Previously earmarked for closure, the facility has instead been repurposed for apprenticeship and wider technical training, supporting Halfords’ efforts to build stronger links between technical education, college-based learning and real workplace experience.
Under Halfords’ training model, apprentices complete three- to five-day blocks of practical training away from their usual workplace before returning to their garages. This approach is designed to provide more consistent training, reduce reliance on variable third-party provision and ensure apprentices develop the practical skills required in modern automotive roles.
Henry Birch, Chief Executive Officer of Halfords Group plc, said:
“As the automotive sector changes, technicians need increasingly advanced technical skills, from electric vehicle servicing to diagnostics and digital systems. By investing in apprenticeships and practical training, we are helping to create high-quality career routes for young people while supporting the long-term skills needs of our business and the wider sector.”
“We are proud that our apprenticeship programme has grown so significantly in recent years, and we are keen to build on that progress. Dunstable will help us provide more consistent, high-quality training and strengthen the link between technical education and real workplace experience.”
The academy will help Halfords deliver against significant investments in electric vehicle (EV) capabilities, aiming to have IMI Level 3 qualified technicians to meet the demand of increased EV and hybrid ownership.
Thirty apprentices have already started their apprenticeship training at the Dunstable Training Academy, with Halfords planning to enrol a further 60 or more apprentices at the site this year.
The academy has total annual training capacity for more than 500 colleagues across apprenticeships and wider technical training, including MOT training, electric and hybrid vehicle training, air conditioning training and customer service training. Two trainers can be on site at any one time, with one trainer delivering from each of the academy’s two purpose-built classrooms.
The training facility, which is just over 4,000 sq ft, includes a fully operational garage designed to give apprentices hands-on experience in a professional workshop environment. The site is equipped with three vehicle ramps, a full MOT bay, tyre-changing equipment, four-wheel alignment equipment, air conditioning equipment, and electric and hybrid vehicle equipment. It also includes a reception area, break-out room, kitchen facilities and two classrooms to support practical and classroom-based learning.
ENDS
For further information, contact:
Teneo
halfords@teneo.com
+44 20 7260 2700
Note to Editors:
Halfords Group plc is one of the UK’s leading providers of motoring and cycling services and products. The business is headquartered in Redditch and operates through its retail stores, garages and mobile services across the UK.
The Dunstable Training Academy went live in February 2026 and was officially opened on 19 May 2026. The site supports apprenticeship training and wider technical training, with a particular focus on improving provision for London and the South East.
Halfords’ automotive apprenticeship programme currently supports around 300 apprentices across England, Scotland and Wales, compared with around 30 in 2022.