Two Irish Tyre fitters from a group of nine technicians have become the first to graduate from Michelin's new Tyre Academy after a year of

theoretical and practical learning.

Dion McKay from Nolan's Tyres, Balllon, Co. Carlow and Andy Cummins from A One Tyres, Dromore, Co. Down, both Michelin Certified Centres, spent time in specialist workshops at Michelin¹s training centre in Stoke-on Trent, learning about the technology that goes into making the tyres and how to deliver excellent customer service.

As part of the course, designed to maximise the career potential of promising fitters, they also visited the Michelin factory in Dundee, which produces seven million car tyres each year, before being invited to test Michelin tyres on the Silverstone track.

Commenting, Michelin Academy Course Leader, Tom Dixon, said: "We designed this course to reward the most promising fitters across our network with lessons which will help them deliver the highest levels of customer care, develop their own careers and raise their confidence in the industry."