Martin Morris, a field engineer and trainer for WABCO, visited the South West College (SWC) Gortin Road Motor Vehicle Workshop last week to demonstrate the latest piece of equipment SWC has acquired to improve the education and training on offer to local Automotive and Electrical students.
WABCO is a leading global supplier of technologies and services that improve the safety, efficiency, and connectivity of commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses and trailers. Martin Morris is currently on a tour visiting workshops and facilities in Northern Ireland which have been supplied by the business. South West College is the only education provider Martin visited and he did so to demonstrate a new training rig which will compliment the colleges existing equipment and add to the training of local apprentices.
Fonzie McCullagh, Associate Lecturer in Automotive and Electrical, invited Martin to the workshop. Fonzie says, “The technology we’ve acquired from WABCO features air valves and electronically controlled air systems which link directly with trailer safety and ABS practices which are employed and taught to students at South West College. This new piece of technology features the latest diagnostic software and is a great addition to the up-to-date technology we have, which is central to providing the best education possible to current and future students. It was great to welcome Martin to the workshop. His demonstration showcased the value of this new equipment and will help us hit the ground running when using it with our students.”
Martin’s visit also allowed him to experience the overall standard of South West College’s brand new state of the art motor vehicle workshop on the Gortin Road, which opened in June this year. Vocational training has had a long history in the education system in Northern Ireland, helping individuals to gain the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career and this new workshop is indicative of the progress in educational facilities in the industry in recent years, something which is not lost on Martin or on large organisations like WABCO.
Martin said, “South West College have a fantastic facility here, with very well developed and up to date equipment. It’s an ideal for training for this industry. Over the last few years there’s been a clear improvement in the facilities available to young people with aspirations in the motor vehicle industry. It’s a great time for young people to be training in the industry and this facility is proof of that.”
To find out more about Automotive Courses at South West College, please visit: www.swc.ac.uk/learn/vehicle-maintenance
Photo: Martin Morris (left), a field engineer and trainer for WABCO, with staff at the South West College Gortin Road Motor Vehicle Workshop.