Prospective students and parents are invited to attend the official opening of South West College’s brand new state of the art motor vehicle workshop on the Gortin Road, Omagh on Tuesday 22 June from 11am-4pm. The event will be on-site and operate in accordance with COVID protocols. Booking is essential via the College website at www.swc.ac.uk/motorvehicleopening.
Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the facilities, which include the latest Diagnostic and mechanical equipment available within the Motor Vehicle Industry. You can also view a range of practical demonstrations including EBS braking, active suspension systems, ADAS steering systems and engine horse power testing. You will have an opportunity to speak to the tutors and find out about the range of apprenticeship opportunities on offer and apply for your course.
There will also be an opportunity for you to meet with potential employers and perhaps secure a placement or Apprenticeship with them. On arrival you will be entered into a free prize draw to win a range of exciting prizes. The event will be on-site and operate in accordance with COVID protocols.
Speaking about the event, Automotive and Electrical Lecturer, Joshua Semple, said: “This automotive workshop is a new purpose-built facility, with classroom facilities, practical work spaces, and industry standard vehicles and technologies. Over the years, we’ve built up a great relationship with local industry. We assess their training needs and provide the latest training that keeps our students up to date with industry requirements. This facility will certainly enhance our ability to do that and everyone is welcome to arrange to visit us on the open day, to see our facilities and ask questions of our tutors and current students.”
One student who is looking forward to getting hands on with the new facilities and equipment is Level 2 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair student, Shanice Murray, from Killyclogher. She says, “I was always interested in cars and rallying in particular, but when I my car broke down a few times and I wasn’t able to fix it myself, I started to consider learning about the mechanical side of things. South West College was the best place for me to do that. At first, I was surprised to find other female students on the course with me, which was very encouraging. I think female involvement in these courses and on these career paths is going to continue and increase and it’s great to see.”
Shanice will be continuing her studies at South West College and her experience so far has even inspired her to consider a future career as a lecturer . She says: “I can definitely see myself as a teacher one day. I’d like to work in industry to gain the vital experience that comes from that, then go down the lines of a teaching degree. There are more and more women involved in this line of study and work. I think more female lecturers in this area is a natural progression and would only help increase the number of female students.”
Shanice says that anyone who has an interest in vehicle work should explore the options available to them by visiting the Gortin Road Workshop Open day. She says: “I found that by following my initial passions for cars and car maintenance, a variety of pathways have opened up for me. I’d certainly recommend anyone who shares those interests to come along and see what is on offer to them.”
Booking for the event is essential. Please visit www.swc.ac.uk/motorvehicleopening.