Weymouth College completes hybrid and electric motor facility upgrade

In July 2019, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership awarded £250,000 of the government’s Local Growth Fund to Weymouth College to establish a Centre of Excellence for Motor Vehicle Technology.

The project unveiling took place this morning at Weymouth College. The ribbon cutting was attended by college staff, motor vehicle lecturers, local businesses and Dorset LEP Board Member, and Chief Executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ian Girling.

Ian Girling says: “This project has provided Weymouth College with fantastic facilities at the cutting edge of hybrid and electric vehicle engineering and manufacturing. There is already a thriving advanced engineering and manufacturing (AEM) sector in Dorset. These new facilities will give our next generation pioneering tools and teaching which will benefit our local economy and national vision for the future of transport.”

Lorna Carver, Director of Dorset LEP, adds: “Dorset LEP are proud to launch a project which aligns with our proposed local industrial strategy. These facilities will unlock our local talent, support our AEM economy and train for a sustainable transport future in Dorset - and indeed the UK.”

The redevelopment has upgraded 500m2 of motor vehicle workshop facilities and will add hybrid and electric vehicles to the College’s motor vehicle fleet.

The facility upgrade has included the introduction of new ramps, tooling, shelving and work-desks.

There is now a dedicated hybrid section of the workshop. Here, the College are planning to offer Hybrid Level 2 courses during the 2019/20 academic year once staff are trained.

Brian Oman, Head of Engineering Weymouth College, says: “The physical rebuild and refit of the motor vehicle workshop is now complete and ready for our students. This milestone - together with the continuing arrival of the enhanced motor fleet – has created a great air of anticipation amongst our current motor vehicle engineering students at all study levels.

 “At our recent College Open Day we were able to outline our vision for the Centre of Excellence for Motor Vehicle Engineering to prospective new students who will be the first cohort to fully benefit from this exciting new development.  The reaction to the new course and training opportunities offered by the enhanced up-to-the minute facilities was – unsurprisingly – without exception 100% positive.”

Matt Prosser, Chief Executive of Dorset Council concludes, “Dorset Council’s vision is for Dorset to be a great place to live, work and visit. We live in a fabulous county and in order to keep that unique environment we need to look after it; one way we can do this is by reducing our carbon output. As the electric motor vehicle industry opens up, Weymouth College is equipping young people with the skills to be able to compete in future markets, adding value to Dorset’s economy.”

To learn more about this project visit this news article which announced funding.

ENDS                                                                                                               Date 15/11/2019

Notes to Editors:

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is a business led private and public sector partnership, promoting local economic growth and prosperity. Dorset LEP deliver projects that support and develop infrastructure, housing, skills, enterprise and business growth to achieve long-term economic benefit for all in Dorset. For more information visit the Dorset LEP website http://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/

Local Growth Fund

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone.

That’s why by 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

Some additional key facts:

• There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England.
• The government has awarded £9.1bn in three rounds of Growth Deals to local areas to drive economic growth.
• LEPs are investing in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.