RAC opens New Training Centre
The RAC has opened its automotive training centre at Great Sankey. The state of the art auto-training centre at Great Sankey High School has been officially opened, enabling over 80 pupils a week to undergo training as part of a national initiative to find and train the motor engineers of the future.
The purpose built vehicle workshop in Warrington has officially opened and gives students the opportunity to be taught by RAC trainers and gain qualifications in motor vehicle engineering.
The scheme is an addition to RAC’s established apprentice and technical training provision for vehicle manufacturers. It will enable students to gain an Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) recognised Technical Certificate, allowing them to work towards an Engineering Diploma if they continue with training until the age of 19 years.
On completion of the course, and as part of the initiative, students will have the opportunity to join RAC supported apprenticeship programmes, working with local motor traders who provide work placements for successful students.
The RAC will also use the centre to educate staff with six patrols completing training a week.
Damian O’Connor, RAC’s head of technical support, said: “It is vital to attract new talent into the industry and educate students about wider technical subjects such as electronics and IT programming early on, as vehicle technology becomes increasingly sophisticated. The state of the art workshop creates a similar environment to a modern career in the motoring industry. We hope to attract people that would not normally think of applying for jobs in the automotive industry and demonstrate that the programme can create opportunities to move into a wide variety of automotive engineering disciplines, such as vehicle systems, design and manufacturing. As a leading motoring organisation, RAC has a responsibility to invest and find the skills of the future and this is a unique approach to building the relationship between businesses and education.”
Alan Yates, head teacher at Great Sankey High School, said: “This partnership will provide a blueprint of good practice for the delivery of the new Applied Learning Diplomas, the establishment of sustainable education/industry partnerships as well as the enhancement of the engineering capabilities of the school to a level unsurpassed in the Northwest, if not nationally. By working together with blue chip companies, Great Sankey High School will contribute to the regional development and growth of careers, skills and opportunities within the automotive engineering sector.”
The initiative will combine the Engineering Diploma and Technical Certificate for 14-19 year olds into the existing school curriculum and look to attract the best students who will fast-track onto modern apprenticeships. The project is supported by the Sector Skills Council for the retail automotive industry – the body charged with addressing skills shortages in the sector and boosting competitiveness through skills development.
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