Future engineers in the motor racing and high-performance engineering industry can expect top quality training thanks to the confirmation of the sector's first Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) at last week's International Autosport Exhibition. Alex Hooton, CEO of the British Racing Drivers Club visited the National College for Motorsport's stand at the exhibition to publicly accept the college's CoVE status from the Learning and Skills Council's Richard Greenwood.
The National College for Motorsport was set up to provide tailored training for those working in the high-performance engineering and motor racing arenas. In particular it aims to address the sector's shortage of technicians and mechanics. The awarding of CoVE status demonstrates the college's close links within the industry and its partnership approach to working to ensure it meets the needs of employers.
Richard Greenwood, Executive Director at the Learning and Skills Council in Northamptonshire said: "The National College for Motorsport is an excellent example of how Further Education is responding to the needs of a particular sector through providing truly vocationally-focussed qualifications and training. The presence of Alex Hooton demonstrates how much this is valued by the motor racing industry."
Launched in 2001, CoVEs are centres of vocational learning, which have been awarded special status and funding by the LSC for their close links with industry and provision of high quality business-specific training. The funding received by colleges must be used to improve training facilities and ensure that equipment is up to industry standards. Feedback on CoVEs to date has been positive. According to an independent report into CoVEs, four out of five employers praised the training delivered by CoVEs as "excellent" or "good".
Eric Newell, Director of the National College for Motorsport said: "We're delighted that the impact we are having in our sector has been recognised by the LSC through being awarded CoVE status. It helps to further increase our credibility and enables us to continue to improve the courses we provide. The opening of our fourth site at Silverstone, the heart of the British racing industry later this year, will be the next major step in our development."
The National College for Motorsport is a partnership between three Further Education providers in the heart of 'Motorsport Valley' - Tresham Institute in Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes College and Oxford and Cherwell College. It has been designed to provide the training and skills necessary to gain employment in the racing industry. Courses are aimed at race/ rally mechanics progressing to Technician grade, focusing on teaching practical craft skills combined with 'hands-on' experience of running different vehicles trackside.
