Telford college gets in gear for new car courses

Telford College of Arts and Technology is recruiting students for courses at its new £3.5 million Automotive Engineering Centre on its grounds in Wellington.

Aimed at giving students the skills to work for garages and dealerships rather than manufacturers, the centre is considered to be among the most technologically advanced in the region.

"We are very, very proud," said TCAT principal Chris Scott. "It sends out a message that we are committed to automotive engineering and ensuring we are providing the skills base for the local economy and for people in Telford.

"You would have to go a long way to find a facility that is better than this, it must be one of the best facilities in the country."

The opening of the new centre follows a long run of investments in new buildings and equipment, with millions of pounds having been spent on new additions such as teaching kitchens.

Last year, the college opened its new Engineering Discovery Centre, aimed at building on engineering skills in the area, and the latest development is directly beside that building, and adds to the college's provision for the increasingly important engineering industry.

It will have seven full-time members of staff, and the capacity for 100 students across all levels of training for the car industry, although the college's timetables are expected to allow for 200 students to be on courses using the centre at any time.

The lecturers on the courses have been involved in the development of the building, to ensure it matches the demands of the courses that are to be run on the campus.

It also has a selection of 26 different makes and models of cars, which will be set up with faults to allow students to work on their repair.

Jeremy Howell, one of the college's course lecturers, said: "This is a state-of-the-art facility and students who come here, whether full-time students or trainees, will get an experience second to none.

"Technology is advancing and we need to keep pace with that.

"The image of the repair industry is changing, the background of it is changing, and the requirement for technicians that work in it is changing as vehicles become more advanced and high-tech.

"The traditional traders with spanners still exist, but there's so much more needed as well."

His colleague, Stuart Thomas, added: "We are going to challenge learners' preconceptions of what this course is about – it's really going to blow their minds.

"We are open to speaking to local businesses, as we want to speak to industry and know what they are looking for."

Courses being run at the centre will continue those which already exist at TCAT, which have been built alongside the Institute of the Motor Industry to fit the specific needs of companies in the sector.

The new building, which contains high-end repair equipment made by Snap-On, will be in addition to an existing vehicle workshop, which has been refurbished at a cost of £1.5 million.

Facilities include classrooms, MOT lanes, engine testing and fault diagnostics machines.

The cost of the new development has been supported by a grant from the Skills Funding Agency.

Mr Scott added: It's a very important part of our provision, as it provides opportunities and enthuses young people to get into education and training.

"This year we have seen growth in this area of around 15 per cent, but there's room for more."

Enrolment in the new centre is currently underway with courses beginning this month. An official open event will be held for the new centre on November 7.