Re-used and recycled - cars find a new use in training tomorrow's technicians
Vehicles that have been written-off due to rear-end accident damage are being given a new lease of life in colleges across the UK as part of a unique initiative to aid the training of young technicians.
Now in its second year, the scheme is helping the further education sector with the challenges of funding in facilities, products and vehicles. Ten colleges are part of an industry consortium which includes Snap-on Diagnostics, bluecycle and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which set up the three year pilot scheme. The programme includes the provision of vehicles, diagnostic equipment, access to technical data and support training for lecturers.
bluecycle, an online marketplace for accident damaged vehicles, is providing each centre with a car of less than five years old, used for training purposes only, which are replaced every six months. By supplying colleges with these vehicles it enables students and staff to gain a valuable, in-depth experience of a variety of production models.
According to the Learning and Skills Council's "Working Futures" research, the automotive retail sector will have a workforce replacement need of up to 120,000 people in all disciplines across the industry over the next decade. Motor retail businesses in England already have more than 11,000 vacancies, of which nearly half are for highly skilled technicians. Advanced systems, such as fibre optics and controlled area networks (CAN), for example, are increasingly commonplace on new cars, demanding extreme proficiency of technicians in electronics and diagnostics. Recent support training for lecturers via the initiative has included training on CAN systems which was provided by Snap-on in direct response to colleges' needs in this area.
By supporting this initiative bluecycle and Snap-on are both gaining industry recognition by earning Skillmiles points. The SkillMiles scheme, launched in February by the IMI, is a pioneering way of recognising employer support in the campaign to raise skill levels within the automotive sector. The partnership with the FE sector is an example of how organisations can gain recognition by demonstrating their commitment to raising skills within the workforce.
Helen Taylor, UK Marketing Manager for Snap-on Diagnostics, which is providing both equipment and technical training, commented: "Snap-on is pleased to be involved with this innovative initiative which is assisting with raising the standard of technician training in the UK."
Victoria Martin, bluecycle said: "bluecycle is committed to driving the motor industry forward and recognises that appropriate training is crucial to achieving this goal."
Steve Hunsley, Curriculum Manager at the Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher, one of the ten centres participating in the initiative, said:
"Being part of this scheme means our students benefit from having current vehicles and electronic equipment in a classroom environment. Our continued involvement continues to drive up the standard of technicians available to our local employers."
The ten 'pathfinder' centres involved in the initiative are:
Brooksby Melton College
Grimsby Institute
Highbury College, Portsmouth
Newcastle College
Peterborough College
S&B Training, Bristol
Stockport College
Suffolk College
Training 2000, Blackburn
West Cheshire College