Driving ambition on the right road
Automotive students from New College Lanarkshire have started their journey to success at a national skills competition after the first Scottish qualifier was held at the Motherwell Campus.
The college’s faculty of engineering and automotive recently hosted eight of the best automotive students and apprentices in Scotland as they competed for a chance to be selected for WorldSkills UK.
The college held the Skills Auto competition in its state-of-the-art HGV training centre, testing the competitors’ skills in six tasks – inspection, brakes, engine diagnostics, engine mechanics, cooling and electrical systems.
Two New College Lanarkshire students from the Motherwell campus, Gordon Main and Ian Pew, were among those competing in the qualifying stage.
Held in partnership with the Institute of the Motor Industry ( IMI), Dingbro Ltd, Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) and Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) Scotland, the competition was hailed a huge success for the future of the industry.
Head of the faculty of engineering and automotive Barry Skea said: “It is a great privilege for New College Lanarkshire to be hosting the first Skills Auto heat in Scotland as we already have a strong track record in WorldSkills competitions and hope to continue this success across a number of areas in the coming years.
“We have a fantastic automotive offering at the College, with our facilities being a testament to that, so it is great to have the best automotive students come here today to compete, and help them take that next step in their education.”
Barry revealed that all competitors scored more than 83 per cent.
New College Lanarkshire offers a wide range of automotive courses within its industry-leading engineering block. Whether it is motorcycles, cars, vans, buses, trucks or lorries that you’re interested in, the college has a bumper range of courses to teach you the nuts and bolts of vehicle maintenance and repair.
For more information visit: http:// www. nclanarkshire.ac.uk/courses/automotive