Students in Evesham have been given career insights from one of the largest private-owned dealer groups in the UK and had the chance to share their knowledge of superchargers and turbochargers with industry experts.
More than 30 motor vehicle students from Evesham New College attended the event with England’s largest family-owned dealer group Listers, where they were given the chance to ask questions of representatives from Listers Volkswagen Evesham and demonstrate their skills in the workshop.
Listers represents 15 different brands at 40 sites across the country.
The students were a mix of Level 2 and Level 3 and heard from Simon Robinson and Rob Ricketts from Listers about career opportunities in the automotive sector.
The students also presented about working with superchargers and turbochargers, and had the opportunity to show off their skills in the workshops at the college to the Listers representatives.
Level 3 students gave a live demonstration of removing and refitting front brakes on two different vehicles, with a group of Level 2 students also demonstrating their competence when working with front brakes.
It is hoped that the session will be the first of many in partnership with Listers Group, with ambitions to roll out sessions across other colleges in the WCG group – which Evesham New College is part of.
There are also possibilities of short-term placements for students with Listers Group garages.
Robert Hampson, Lecturer in the motor vehicle department at Evesham New College, said: “It is fantastic for our students to have the chance to speak to people currently working in industry and gain a better understanding of the opportunities which are out there after completing their course with us.
“The students were very engaged and asked a lot of questions about working in a dealership and the current challenges facing the industry.
“Simon and Robert were brilliant and we would like to thank them both for taking the time to visit us.
“We’re hoping that this new relationship with Listers at Evesham New College could lead to more opportunities for our students, whether that is work experience or potentially employment.”
Simon Robinson said: “We are always looking into the future needs of the industry, while wanting to promote and support the local college. We have historically provided some vehicles for the students to work on and continue to provide work experience placement for the motor vehicle students.
“This was why it made sense to come into the college to do a session with the current group. We discussed the ever-changing landscape of the motor industry, the impact electric vehicles will have on workshops and the fabulous opportunities being a motor vehicle technician will provide the students when they complete the course.
“After this the group demonstrated their practical skills in the college’s own workshop.
“Moving forward we want to continue to work with the college and see this as a vital partnership where we can offer support and provide up-to date technical information and work experience.
“It can also lead to the potential for permanent job opportunities for the students, in fact four of our current technicians came from this college course.
“We would like to thank the college staff, students who welcomed us for our recent visit.”
Evesham New College features a fully-equipped motor vehicle workshop and delivers Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 courses and apprenticeships.
To find out more about motor vehicle course at Evesham New College visit www.wcg.ac.uk/study