More than 150 people from across the region have now passed one of the three MOT courses run by Shrewsbury Colleges Group at its London Road Campus, including 23 from Furrows Group which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.
The three courses on offer (MOT Testers Class 4 and 7, MOT Centre Managers and Annual Updates), which started just 12 months ago have proved so popular with the industry, that extra courses have had to be put on and additional specialist staff trained to deliver them.
Curriculum Leader for Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic and Automotive Engineering, Andrew Lee, said: “We have been blown away by the success of these courses. We were expecting this number over several years, not just the first 12 months, it’s been a phenomenal take up. We’ve seen people travelling from as far Stoke, Worcester, Hereford, Wrexham, the West Midlands and Mid Wales to do the courses. We are now also offering MOT Testers at Class 3 and 5 due to requests from the industry, as well as a short Level 3 Vehicle Inspection Course for those who work within the industry and don’t hold the required qualification to become an MOT Tester.
“The success of the courses has also increased our Apprenticeships in the area by 300% because of the good relationships we have been forging with a number of garages. We now work with almost all the leading franchises in the area as well lots of independent garages as well.”
Apprenticeships on offer in Motor Vehicle include; Light Vehicle Service and Repair, Fast Fit/Inspection, Land Based and the new Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician. Additional short courses in Air Conditioning (F gas) and Hybrid vehicles have also been developed to support the industry.
The 150th student to pass the MOT testing course was Ryan Davies, a mechanic with the Furrows Group, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.
Ryan, 23, from Minsterley, passed the MOT Testers course in February, said: “It’s great that there is a training provider so close to where I live and work so that I can fit this essential training in easily. I can’t continue to do my job without passing important updates like this. The course was well run and I will be able to do it next year when I need to!”
Phil Davies, Service Manager at Furrows, said: “We have put 23 of our mechanics through either the MOT Testers or Annual Update courses this year. It’s a very well run course and essential for my staff to pass it in order to be able to safely test people’s vehicles. I need to know I can send them somewhere I trust and ensure they will come away knowing everything they need to for the coming year.”
More information and dates for the courses on offer can be found on the Part -Time Motor Vehicle section of the College’s website.
For more information on A Levels, visit www.ssfc.ac.uk or call 01743 235491. For more information about vocational courses and Apprenticeships call 01743 342342.