Automotive Technology Course

The first Automotive Technology Course at the Resettlement Training Centre, run in partnership by the Career Transition Partnership and Business Training and Consultancy Ltd (BTC), and certified by the Institute of the Motor Industry, finished on 21 January. It was a most successful experience for the nine students from the three Services, all of whom had considerable motor mechanical experience. The content prepares students to take up a number of roles in motor dealerships and within the industry generally, and examines the electronic demands of the modern engine in detail.
The motor industry is very short of well-trained technicians, and this series of courses - more are planned in the future - will provide over 100 well-trained individuals to start to satisfy that need. The military students were looking for positions all over the country - from Norfolk to Salisbury and Yorkshire - when they leave the Forces after the course. BTC's recruitment arm is already successfully placing people who attended the January course, with more to follow from later programmes.
Andrew Scotford, an industry specialist trainer, delivered two weeks of instruction that introduced students to the realities of the commercial motor industry, and to modern automotive electronic systems. He 'geared this course towards the garage and service environment, using some of the latest diagnostic tools. It was a first-class group, who will be a credit to any future employer.'
After they have completed the course, students can spend up to four weeks working on a trial basis, at no charge to the dealership they are working in, before taking up a permanent role once they have left the Services. There is already interest in these courses from some of the biggest names in motor manufacturing, and several household names are actively looking at partnership opportunities for the courses planned for the rest of the year. Mercedes Benz, for example, came to view the most recent course in March.
The Institute of the Motor Industry has 25,000 members worldwide, employed at all levels of the industry, and it operates in all its sectors. Membership grades are based on training, age and experience, and all members sign a code of conduct. It offers the usual institute benefits and its membership grades run from Student to Fellow.
BTC was formed in 1989 and offers a variety of services: training, research, consultancy and recruitment. It has a wide variety of activities under each of these general headings, and wishes to 'motivate people to implement the techniques and ideas they learn'. In the recruitment field, it operates group selection for jobs with a big response rate and a smaller, bespoke, search and selection for positions requiring specific skills and attributes.
Army Lance Corporal Mark Rae found it 'a good course, content excellent, bags of information over the two weeks'. He was on a two-week placement at Autechnique Salisbury last month. Another Lance Corporal - Richard Gibbons - 'learnt so much about electronics', while Chief Petty Officer Shaun Andrews RN 'really enjoyed the diagnostics'.
Trevor Lillicrap, a REME Lance Corporal for the last eight years was due to go to Charters Group in Aldershot, a Peugeot dealership in February but medical priorities intervened and his placement has had to be postponed. Alan Greenway has decided that he does not want to be a motor vehicle technician as he wants to work as an AA-type patrolman, fixing people's cars. BTC has called the RAC to see if it needs anyone in his home area.
Neil Sproston of Doncaster had a two-week placement at Polar Ford Barnsley in March, while Fleming Brother Ltd (Citroën) is interested in Martin Clarke. Colin Jackson had an interview with Auteznique Fiat and was going to take up a placement. However he only leaves the Army this month so he will rearrange his first look at the industry when he is more certain about suitable dates.
More details and information on this range of new courses can be obtained by contacting the Resettlement Training Centre on 01252 348520, or you can phone Business Training and Consultancy Ltd on 01270 623111 or visit its website at www.b-t-c.co.uk