With an Apprenticeship, you can earn money while you’re learning and gain recognised qualifications as you work.
As employees, Apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. Off the job, usually on a day-release basis, Apprentices receive training to work towards nationally recognised qualifications. Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship, the Apprentices’ ability and the industry sector.
Stoke on Trent College works with hundreds of businesses across the local area, helping you find the most cost-effective and practical solutions to compete in an increasingly global business landscape.
College Mission
"Delivering Excellence in Learning, Skills and Employability."
Strategic Aims
Aim 1: Deliver Excellence in Teaching & Learning
Aim 2: Put our learners and customers first
Aim 3: Invest in an efficient, sustainable & profitable organisation
Aim 4: Optimise business growth opportunities
Mechanics service and repair practically anything from motorbikes to lorries and coaches. They work with a wide variety of systems, including mechanical, electrical and finely tuned, computer-controlled engines. On a daily basis you’ll be repairing vehicles that have developed a problem or have been involved in an accident. You may also be involved in regular maintenance.
The outlook for mechanic jobs remains strong. In fact, as vehicles become more complicated and as government standards become stricter, vehicles require more work. You may find employment in several different venues, including local garages and national chains. There are also opportunities for mechanics wherever you find a large fleet of vehicles, such as the police, bus companies and the armed forces.
We have three large motor vehicle workshops that are used to closely simulate a realistic work environment. Our bespoke body and paint workshop and equipment are completely unique. Our excellent courses and links with local and national employers guide students on the path to a great career.
The Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Apprenticeships cover mechanical repairs and servicing for either heavy or light vehicles.
Body Repair Technicians fix the outside body of the car – they remove, repair and replace damaged panels, ensuring that the car is still sturdy and safe. They may fix the vehicle’s alignment and quality-check all body repairs. Body Refinishing Technicians add the final surface touch by applying primers and paint so everything looks as good as new. This may involve the use of hand and power sanding tools, chemical cleaning agents, spray booths and drying equipment.
These courses combine NVQ and Technical Certificate qualifications along with Functional Skills.
The Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Apprenticeships cover mechanical repairs and servicing for either heavy or light vehicles.
Body Repair Technicians fix the outside body of the car – they remove, repair and replace damaged panels, ensuring that the car is still sturdy and safe. They may fix the vehicle’s alignment and quality-check all body repairs. Body Refinishing Technicians add the final surface touch by applying primers and paint so everything looks as good as new. This may involve the use of hand and power sanding tools, chemical cleaning agents, spray booths and drying equipment.
These courses combine NVQ and Technical Certificate qualifications along with Functional Skills.
The Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Apprenticeships cover mechanical repairs and servicing for either heavy or light vehicles.
Body Repair Technicians fix the outside body of the car – they remove, repair and replace damaged panels, ensuring that the car is still sturdy and safe. They may fix the vehicle’s alignment and quality-check all body repairs. Body Refinishing Technicians add the final surface touch by applying primers and paint so everything looks as good as new. This may involve the use of hand and power sanding tools, chemical cleaning agents, spray booths and drying equipment.
These courses combine NVQ and Technical Certificate qualifications along with Functional Skills.
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Advanced Apprenticeships cover complex diagnosis and advanced mechanical repairs for either heavy or light vehicles.
These courses combine NVQ and Technical Certificate qualifications along with Functional Skills.
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Advanced Apprenticeships cover complex diagnosis and advanced mechanical repairs for either heavy or light vehicles.
These courses combine NVQ and Technical Certificate qualifications along with Functional Skills.
These courses cover both practical and theoretical aspects of your chosen subject. All subjects have a large practical content, and underpinning knowledge is delivered in the classroom or in our computer aided learning resource centre. Those studying Vehicle Systems look at mechanical repairs and servicing.
Students wanting to develop some of the key skills and understanding in building, servicing, repair and maintenance of all types of cycles. Including working efficiently and safely when removing and replacing
tubular and tubeless tyres, replacing non standard braking systems, removing, repairing and replacing cycle gear systems, remove and replace cycle hub bearings, removing and installing cycle bottom brackets and cranks, building a cycle wheel and to work efficiently and safely when preparing and painting cycle frames, forks for cycle assembly. Functional skills Maths and English are also part of the course.
This course has a work-related focus and covers the key knowledge and practical skills required in the motor vehicle industry. Units covered could include: Operation of Vehicle Chassis Systems; Vehicle Engine Principles; Operation, Service and Repair; Vehicle Engine Management Systems; Light Vehicle Suspension; Steering and Braking Systems.
These courses cover both practical and theoretical aspects of your chosen subject. All subjects have a large practical content, and underpinning knowledge is delivered in the classroom or in our computer aided learning resource centre. Those studying Vehicle Systems look at mechanical repairs and servicing.
Entry Level vocational courses for students aged 16-19. The Access to Training course is for students who may need to work on their English, maths, and personal and social skills before progressing onto a Level 1 vocational course. The Introduction to Motor Vehicle Systems course is for students who want an introduction to motor vehicles and their systems. You will spend the majority of your time in our vehicle workshop with some time in the classroom.
This entry level vocational course focuses on motor vehicle skills and is aimed at learners aged 16 - 19. It would suit students who may prefer to work in smaller groups and have access to support, if required. Learners will have an opportunity to work on their English, maths and personal and social skills as well as practical based motor vehicle skills to enable progression onto further study.
These qualifications cover essential areas of your chosen subject and will also require you to prove your ability in a particular area. Completion of the qualification shows you’ve mastered the basics of your subject. The Vehicle Systems and Maintenance Diploma provides a
foundation in mechanical repairs and servicing.
These qualifications cover essential areas of your chosen subject and will also require you to prove your ability in a particular area. Completion of the qualification shows you’ve mastered the basics of your subject. The Vehicle Systems and Maintenance Diploma provides a
foundation in mechanical repairs and servicing.
Be prepared for your cars MOT is a 10 week course were you will look in more detail at the MOT examination identifing and carrying out a range of pre-MOT checks so you will be prepared for that test.
From 4th July 2010, all Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) technicians working with cars and car derived vans, must have achieved as a minimum requirement, a refrigerant handling qualification which fulfils the European Union F Gas Regulation (EC842/2006 and Annex to Regulation EC307/2008).
The course provides the knowledge and practice to complete the level 3 Automotive Refrigerant Handling qualification. To confirm occupational competence.
KEY FACTS ABOUT MOTOR VEHICLE
Thousands of potential employers in the region
Mechanics earn around £25,000 a year
POPULAR CAREER PROGRESSION:
Body Repair Technician
Heavy Vehicle Technician
Light Vehicle Technician
MOT Inspector
Motorsport Engineer
Motorsport Technician
Refinishing (Paint) Technician
Test Engineer
Jason Moores
Jason was the first Apprentice to have completed the Young LGV Driver Scheme at Stoke on Trent College at the age of 19. The scheme gives students the unique opportunity to gain a full category C driving licence at the age of 18 rather than 21, and the more advanced category C+E licence before they are 21.
Jason, who works for P.H. Winterton
and Son in Congleton, said: “This has been a great opportunity for me, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at college. It has given me a great boost for my future career. “I was apprehensive as I thought that it would be like school but it’s been brilliant, I would advise any young person who is interested to go for it.”
