Students will have the opportunity to gain experience building and maintaining real race cars, thanks to a joint initiative between UHOVI (Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute) and The College Ystrad Mynach.
Three cars have been secured – a Subaru Impreza and two Volkswagen Lupos – enabling the college to provide courses in motorsport engineering at its Rhymney campus. Students will be modifying the cars as they learn how to prepare, inspect and repair motorsport vehicles.
The introduction of a range of motorsport courses follows the announcement of an enterprise zone in Ebbw Vale with a focus on the automotive sector. Alongside this is the ambitious plan for a motor racing circuit earmarked for the region. If successful, the £200m scheme would include state-of-the-art research and development facilities, together with an international standard motor-racing circuit.
Helen Marshall, UHOVI Director said: “UHOVI helps local people to gain relevant skills for existing and growing industries in the region. We’re working with our partners to develop an education offer that is both appealing to students and which provides relevant skills to give individuals the best career opportunities for the future.”
Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach commented: “These cars will provide students with a rare opportunity to learn using real race cars. It is an exciting development and we’re delighted to be working with UHOVI to offer motorsport courses at our Rhymney campus.”
The first course will be Motorsport Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, available from September 2012. The Level 2 full-time course is suited to those with ambitions of a career in the motorsport industry. The course offers the chance to learn valuable skills for those at entry level or anyone with experience looking to re-train. Higher Education courses will be developed by 2013, to allow progression to further study. It is anticipated that a suite of motorsport courses would include bite-sized modules and subjects such as marshalling and event management, in the future.
For more information, visit the open day at The College Rhymney on Thursday August 23 between 10am to 7pm or visit www.ystrad-mynach.ac.uk