Our Automotive Academy is an outstanding resource, providing a friendly and realistic working environment where you can develop your potential fully. Great industry links mean our tutors are able to keep up-to-date with changing technology. Fantastic career opportunities are available to those who want them.

Courses

Motor Vehicle

• Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (Level 1, level 2 and level 3)
• Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (National Certificate)
• Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (National Diploma)

Vehicle Body and Paint

• Vehicle Body and Paint Operations (level 1, level 2 and level 3)

Motor Cycle

• Motor Cycle Repair and Maintenance (Level 1, level 2 and level 3)

Autosport

• Motorsport Maintenance and Repair (Level 1, National Certificate and National Diploma)

Motor Vehicle Apprenticeships

• Motor Vehicle (Levels 2 and 3)
• Vehicle Body (Levels 2 and 3)
• Vehicle Refinishing (Levels 2 and 3)
• Motor Cycle Maintenance and Repair (Levels 2 and 3)

What’s it like working in Motor Vehicle?

Motor vehicle technicians maintain and repair vehicles, from cars, motorcycles and vans to lorries, buses and coaches.

They diagnose problems, advise the owner about the options and then carry out the work. This may be on a vehicle’s engine, brakes, cooling system, steering, gearing or suspension. Today’s vehicles are very sophisticated and include a lot of computerised and electronic systems.

Most technicians work about 40 hours a week, and there are opportunities for overtime. Garages or workshops are generally indoors, although some jobs, such as vehicle rescue may be mainly outside. As people travel in their vehicles at all hours, there are options for jobs with all kinds of working patterns.

Motor vehicle technicians need to be fit, practically-minded and good at team work.

Motor vehicle technicians need:

• good communication skills
• a good level of fitness and full colour vision
• willingness to learn on the job, working quickly and in an organised way
• to be interested in cars, heavy vehicles or motorcycles, and electronic equipment
• to work as part of a team and on their own
• to have a driving licence or be willing to learn to drive.

Skilled, well-trained technicians are in big demand. There are jobs all over the country in garages, workshops and dealerships, with large companies that operate their own fleets, with bus and coach companies and with organisations such as the Royal Automobile Club ( RAC) and Automobile Association (AA).

Technicians may need to move to different garages or organisations to gain experience and skills, and to increase their chances of promotion. The usual route for promotion is from technician to senior technician and then to technical supervisor.

It is possible to become self-employed and work as a mobile technician or to set up a small workshop.

What about a Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship?

Locally, there are lots of job opportunities in the automotive industry. The main jobs cover vehicle maintenance and repair, motor cycle maintenance and repair and vehicle body repair and refinishing as well as vehicle fitting. We offer Apprenticeships in all of these areas.

The great thing about an Apprenticeship is that you’ll be earning money in a real job and getting qualifications at the same time. Most of your time will be spent learning in the workplace but you’ll also spend a small amount of time in College. The training lasts between 2 and 3 years depending on what you want to achieve.

To apply you need to be in a job already or looking for a job. If you’ve just left school we can guide you towards finding a job that’s right for you. You’ll also ideally need four GCSEs, grades A* - D, including Maths and English.

If you’d like more information first, or to order a prospectus, contact the Apprenticeship Team on:
Tel: 01253 504313
Email: apprenticeships@blackpool.ac.uk
Website www.blackpool.ac.uk/apprenticeships.
To apply fill in an application form within the prospectus or download it from here

What Happens When You've Finished?

At our Autosport Academy successful students work their way up through the levels, gaining the practical and personal skills they need along the way. They then either find employment in the industry or take further courses, such as an Advanced Apprenticeship or a degree programme, to improve their career opportunities.

The College runs two exciting Automotive degree courses, both of which are awarded by Lancaster University – one of the top 20 higher education institutions in the UK. In 2008, 90% of Motor Vehicle students who went on to study a degree qualification, chose to do it here.

• Foundation Degree in Autosport Technology
• BEng (Hons) Autosport Technology

Student Viewpoint