Evesham motor vehicle students pick up career tips from Listers

Motor vehicle students at Evesham New College in Worcestershire were visited recently by representatives from Listers, a family-owned dealer group.

More than 30 young people attended the event, asking questions of the Listers Volkswagen Evesham team and showing off their skills in the workshop.

The students heard talks from Listers’ Simon Robinson and Rob Ricketts on career opportunities in the automotive sector.

They also held presentations about working with superchargers and turbochargers.

Level 3 students gave a live demonstration of removing and refitting front brakes on two different vehicles, while Level 2 students demonstrated their competence when working with front brakes.

It’s hoped that the session will be the first of many in partnership with Listers Group, with ambitions to roll out sessions across other colleges in the Warwickshire College Group (WCG) – to which Evesham belongs.

There are also possibilities for short-term industry placements.

Robert Hampson, lecturer in the motor vehicle department at Evesham New College, said: “It’s fantastic for our students to have the chance to speak to people currently working in industry and gain a better understanding of the opportunities which are out there after completing their course with us.

“The students were very engaged and asked a lot of questions about working in a dealership and the current challenges facing the industry.

“Simon and Robert were brilliant, and we’d like to thank them both for taking the time to visit us.

“We’re hoping that this new relationship with Listers at Evesham New College could lead to more opportunities for our students, whether that’s work experience or potentially employment.”

Listers represents 15 different brands at 40 sites across the country.

Simon Robinson added: “We’re always looking into the future needs of the industry, while wanting to promote and support the local college.

“We’ve historically provided some vehicles for the students to work on and continue to provide work experience placement for the motor vehicle students.

“This was why it made sense to come into the college to do a session with the current group.

“We discussed the ever-changing landscape of the motor industry, the impact electric vehicles will have on workshops, and the fabulous opportunities being a motor vehicle technician will provide the students when they complete the course.

“Moving forward, we want to continue to work with the college, and see this as a vital partnership where we can offer support and provide up-to-date technical information and work experience.

“It can also lead to the potential for permanent job opportunities for the students – in fact, four of our current technicians came from this college course.

“We’d like to thank the college staff and students who welcomed us for our recent visit.”

Evesham New College features a fully equipped motor vehicle workshop and delivers Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 courses and apprenticeships.