BUDDING car mechanics from Ellesmere Port can now learn at a replica garage at West Cheshire College.
The college has opened a motor vehicle workshop at its Chester campus on Eaton Road.
The new building, which is 360 metres square, reflects a real-life working garage and is equipped with five car ramps, an MOT bay, engine rigs for diagnostic work and can fit up to 10 cars at any one time.
Lisa Jones, 16, from Ellesmere Port, who is studying vehicle maintenance, said: “I’m really impressed with the new workshop. It is like a real working garage – it’s great experience to be hands-on and work with the cars.
“I want to be a mechanic in the Army and this course will give me the right training to achieve that.”
Motor vehicle students will also service cars and offer a valet service for staff and students at the college.
Lawrence Thomas, area leader for the automotive engineering department, said: “The new motor vehicle workshop provides a better student experience as they have fantastic resources and there are more cars for them to work on.
“The facilities and size of the workshop makes it look and feel like a garage, creating a realistic working environment to prepare students for work.
“For the first time we have an MOT bay – so students can learn and practice how to carry out MOT tests on cars.
“As part of our assessments, students must carry out a car service on real customer cars. This is not only great training but a very popular service with staff and students.”
West Cheshire College still have limited spaces available on the Level 1, 2 and 3 vehicle maintenance courses.
For more information, call the college hotline on 01244 656 555 or visit www.west-cheshire.ac.uk.
