New heritage training centre plans for Derby
Great Northern Classics has announced a scheme to transform the Friar Gate Goods Yard in Derby into a centre of heritage engineering.
The landmark Victorian railway building has been derelict for the past 50 years, but could now become a classic car hub, with a focus on apprentice training.
The south and midlands have seen a number of new heritage training centres opened or planned, the north is currently only served by Leeds City College.
Great Northern Classics co-founder, Shaun Matthews, said: ‘It’s all about the training. The problem we have is that most of the people with real engineering skills are 55 or over, they’re retiring and there’s no-one buying their businesses. I have an AC Three-Litre myself, and the trouble I had finding someone who could re-bore a Essex V6 was astounding – ten years ago you could get that done in virtually every town in the country.’
By embedding a new, not-for-profit training school with the support of Derby College inside a hub of 20-30 heritage engineering businesses, the new centre will allow apprentices to move between companies, increasing the benefit for both the students and the businesses.
With the most of the funding secured and support gained from both Derby Council and Derby College, Great Northern Classics is now looking to win funding grants before opening the project up to private investment.