Autoclenz and BSDC: A Partnership Driving Futures Since 2021

Since 2021, the partnership between Autoclenz Ltd. and Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) has continued to go from strength to strength, with our latest collaborative activities highlighting the shared commitment to supporting student development and preparing the next generation of motor industry professionals.

In May 2025, Autoclenz’s senior management team spent the day at BSDC for their monthly strategy meeting, bringing together leaders from across the business to discuss progress, performance targets, and future plans. The meeting, expertly organised by Steve Jones and facilitated by Lee Mitchell and the BSDC team, was held on campus and was followed by a delicious lunch at The Mulberry, the college’s student-run on-site restaurant.

The team then visited the Autoclenz Valet Bay within BSDC’s Motor Vehicle Department, where Regional Operations Manager, Oksana Timotin, and Compliance and Training Officer, Jenny White, have been working closely with Curriculum Team Leader Dean Pallett. Together, they have been supporting learners with hands-on experience, recently donating a de-fleeted Autoclenz van for practical training and equipment for real-world learning. They were joined by Pete Harbridge, Autoclenz’s Mobile Support Operator for the East Midlands, who helped facilitate a live valeting demonstration earlier this month.

During the session, three experienced Autoclenz valeters guided learners through every stage of the professional valeting process, from decal removal to achieving a showroom-standard finish. Safety materials provided by AutoSmart, courtesy of Gareth, helped reinforce best practice in a professional setting. The learners enthusiasm and attention to detail were noted by the team, who praised the day as a resounding success.

The visit concluded with a tour of BSDC’s impressive new Advanced Automotive Training Centre, led by James Davies, offering further insight into the college’s growing capabilities and investment in future talent.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at BSDC, particularly Dean Pallett, Pete Harbridge, Susan Forster (who captured the day in a classroom-ready photo collage), and all the learners for your ongoing collaboration and warm hospitality.

At Autoclenz, we believe partnerships like this not only help develop the future workforce but also strengthen our industry as a whole. We look forward to continuing this journey together.