Scania UK opens its new futureproof Learning Academy
Scania has opened a new state-of-the-art Learning Academy at its UK headquarters in Milton Keynes, bringing its apprenticeship, technical and wider training programmes back to the town for the first time in 40 years.
Officially opened by Scania and TRATON CEO Christian Levin, the new facility represents a significant investment in the company’s UK workforce and its ability to support customers as the road transport industry undergoes major technological change.
The purpose-built academy has been constructed on the same site as Scania UK’s head office. Its opening marks the closure of the manufacturer’s Loughborough training facility, which has been home to Scania apprentices and technical training for the past 26 years.
Scania said the move is designed to ensure its current and future workforce can develop the skills required to support customers in a modern, fit-for-purpose learning environment.
The Milton Keynes facility will accommodate all Scania UK training, including its apprenticeship programme, technical, leadership, commercial, health and safety training. It will also provide external training opportunities, allowing third-party organisations to learn about Scania vehicles and technologies.
Chris Newitt, Managing Director for Scania UK, said: “We are really pleased to finally open our brand-new Scania UK Learning Academy. Since the development of our new Head Office building, we have long anticipated bringing the training centre back to Milton Keynes.
“Today that vision becomes a reality. We are all very excited, and now we have a facility, the equipment and technology to help our workforce take their development to another level.
“This is a real moment in time for us, as the industry and sectors that we operate in are going through massive upheaval and change currently. This investment is a strong commitment and statement to our customers, that no matter what happens, Scania, our network and workforce will be ready to support them – today, tomorrow and into the future.
“This investment is also another example of Scania’s commitment to the UK, as we will have spent more than £100m continuously improving our network – these include projects still to begin. Plus, we have plans to continue investing for years to come.”
Christian Levin, CEO of Scania AB and TRATON Group, said: “The transport industry is changing, with new technologies and new customer needs. To stay ahead, we have to keep learning.
“This academy reflects our commitment to investing in our people, giving them the right environment to build new skills so we can continue creating the greatest possible value for our customers.”
Scania Learning Academy brings training under one roof
The 3,061m² Scania UK Learning Academy can accommodate up to 140 training delegates and has been designed to provide a more hands-on learning experience than the previous Loughborough facility.
At its heart is a state-of-the-art workshop featuring three inspection lanes, including one with a full 22-metre inspection pit. The workshop is also equipped with a 3.2-tonne overhead gantry crane and a dedicated DSEAR gas bay, fitted with equipment designed to support safe training on petrochemical tankers.
A ground anchor system allows up to 16 engines to be secured simultaneously for practical training.
The facility also includes eight dedicated classrooms spread across two floors, two additional meeting spaces, a flexible meeting area, café and relaxation areas.
With the commercial vehicle industry transitioning towards electrification, the academy has also been equipped to support training around electric vehicles and charging technology.
Four 22kW car chargers and a 250kW truck charger have been installed, while additional energy provision has already been secured to accommodate new and faster charging infrastructure in the future.
The building incorporates a range of energy efficiency measures, including rooftop solar panels, a heat pump, underfloor heating in the workshop and managed LED lighting throughout. The training centre has also been designed to be accessible to all delegates.
Emma Wilkins, Business Operations Director at Scania UK, said: “The opening of the Scania UK Learning Academy is incredibly exciting, and culminates in five years of hard work by the team to get this incredible building finished for our people.
“We have to be ready to always support our customers, and as we transition to electric vehicles, we need to continue to be there when they need us most. This new state-of-the-art facility will allow us to ready ourselves to provide the best service we can to our customers going forwards.”
Jaime Chahal, People and Culture Director at Scania UK, said: “To do our best for our customers, we need amazing people in our business. To keep them, we need to keep giving those amazing people all the tools they need to progress and grow.
“Now we have a facility that befits our people – one where they can learn and transfer their learnings directly into their everyday roles. We have to invest in our amazing people’s future, if Scania wants to keep its promise to its customers and keep their businesses moving.”
The new Scania Learning Academy underlines the growing importance of workforce development as truck technology evolves, particularly as operators increasingly adopt electric and other alternative powertrains.
For Scania UK, bringing training back to Milton Keynes also places apprenticeships, technical development and customer-focused training alongside its UK headquarters, creating a single hub for developing the skills needed across its commercial vehicle network.
