PART-TIME MOTOR VEHICLE COURSES FOR ADULTS
You could make a successful career out of your interest in motor vehicles, starting with one of our courses.
You’ll learn from tutors who are all fully qualified mechanics and have industry experience, so they are the best people to learn from and guide you.
It doesn’t matter what level you are. We offer a number of beginner to intermediate courses to help kick-start your career in the motor vehicle industry, with clear progression so you can improve and refine your skills.
Learn by doing. As a Weston College student, you’ll have access to our million pound Automotive Training Centre, providing you with the best training and giving you the opportunity to realty get involved and put theory into practice.
Whether you want to become a mechanic or be able to repair your own car, skills in motor vehicle maintenance will always come in handy and we’re bound to have a course to suit you.
Careers in Motor Vehicle
Here are just a few examples of job titles that have been advertised in the South West region within the last year.
We've bundled the best education in the area with career boosted benefits - and are leveraging our contacts as one of the largest Colleges in the country to give you the best possible chance of success.
We work with a range of employer partners and have a number of industry accreditations. These are all important factors in ensuring your study programme with us make s you job-ready. These include: Carbase, Halfords, Institute of the Motor Industry, ADT, Howards Motor Group, Mill Auto and more ...
Why choose us?
All levels. Whether you're pursuing a career or just want to know how to fix your car yourself, we offer a range of levels to suit everyone.
Our facilities. Our amazing facilities, based at our South West Skills Campus, will give you access to industry standard tools and equipment.
Course content. Regardless of level, our courses are designed with you in mind. You’re guaranteed to get the skills and knowledge to help you achieve your goals.
Links with businesses. We’ve got links with some top businesses in the industry, which is how we know we’re teaching you what you need to know.
Happy to help. Our tutors are always willing to go the extra mile to progress your learning, so if something you want to know isn’t covered on your course, just ask!
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
A qualification in the motor vehicle sector could lead to many job opportunities and successful career paths.
New car registrations are at the highest level in over a decade. With an increase in the number of cars, including the huge demand for electric and hybrid cars, there is steady demand for skilled people who are trained in motor vehicle maintenance. The wider automotive industry, including manufacturing, retail and finance, currently employs over 780,000 people across the UK.
What could you earn?
Some suggested annual salary ranges for those working in the automotive industry include:
- Motor vehicle technician - £15,000 to £20,000
- Formula 1 mechanic - £45,000 to £150,000
- Motorsport engineer - £18,000 to £40,000
- Motor vehicle breakdown engineer - £20,000 to £30,000
- Automotive engineer - £20,000 to £50,000
Facts
- The UK motor industry is one of the most exciting sectors in Europe, with almost 3,500 companies associated with the industry
- 80% of the world’s high-performance mechanical engineers are from the UK
- The number of vehicle maintenance and repair businesses has increased by over 48% in the last decade
- The Bristol and Somerset area accounts for 11% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry.
- There are over 31 million vehicles registered on the roads in Great Britain
- The number of vehicle maintenance and repair businesses has increased by 48% over the last decade
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
Motor Vehicle Level 2
Motor Vehicle Level 2
LATEST NEWS
<p>My name is Rob, and I’m a Weston College adult learner alumnus. I studied a<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/motor-vehicle/…; Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair</a>. I decided to go to Weston College to complete my training as they offered a standalone Level 3 course in Mechanics, which suited me perfectly as I was already Level 2 qualified. The course was also only a year, which allowed me to get back into my mechanics career sooner.</p>
<p>Completing the course with Weston opened opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have been offered, due to their close working relationships with companies. This was how I was able to begin networking with <a href="https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/">Mercedes-Benz</a>, which resulted in being offered a full-time position at the company prior to even completing the course.</p>
<p>Through attending Weston College, I was also given the chance to compete in the <a href="https://worldskills.org/">WorldSkills</a> competition. The experience was mind-blowing to say the least! I didn't think much of it at first as I was focused on my primary goal of becoming fully qualified and getting a job in a main dealer garage. It was my tutor, Steve, who made me aware of the competition and suggested I apply for it. His support was invaluable and I really felt that he believed in me which gave me the confidence to apply. I thought "What's the worst that can happen?" and that, if anything, it might be a bit of fun.</p>
<p>I applied for WorldSkills in March 2022. I registered online and completed an online test during my normal college hours. The test itself was quite challenging, encompassing everything you should know on completion of the Level 3 course. I received my results the same day but didn't know I had made it into the top thirty until about a month later.</p>
<p>When the day of the semi-finals came, I felt prepared until I got there, and then the nerves kicked in! I found it quite difficult to overcome my nerves at first but having my tutor, Steve, cheering me on from the sidelines was a great support. The group of competitors were all really supportive of one another. I ended the day on a high, with the last task going really well which boosted my confidence. There was a short wait for the results and when they called my name for second place, I couldn't believe it. I was overjoyed with what I had achieved!</p>
<p>Since finishing at the college and becoming Level 3 qualified, I started working at Mercedes-Benz, and I’m currently working towards my maintenance technician qualification as well as an air conditioning qualification. I have also just been assigned my own apprentice to teach the trade to, who previously gained his Level 2 also at Weston. This involves providing guidance in different tasks and overseeing the work that he undertakes to enable him to progress to the next level.</p>
<p>The day-to-day involves working on cars which require prepping, ready to be sold. This requires me to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle, through which I identify and rectify any faults. Each day is varied, and no two days are ever the same. Additionally, I conduct services and inspections on customer cars. I couldn’t have reached where I am now without Weston College, and my tutor Steve, both of which provided invaluable support which gave me the confidence to progress in my career to my current stage and beyond!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults">Find out more about the Adult courses on offer, here!</a></p>
<p>The Automotive industry is exciting and dynamic. Cars are everywhere, and they often need servicing, repairs and enhancements!</p>
<p>The Automotive Career Excellence Hub is a way for Weston College learners to enter industry while being supported the whole way through. Learners have the chance to get vital experience in what a mechanic’s workshop is actually like which will prove incredibly useful for their future career.</p>
<p>Learners will benefit from meeting mechanics and being able to get their foot in the door early for future employment in these workshops. Some of the skills learned in these work placements could include body repairs, paint, working on interior & trim, and repairing the electrical systems on a vehicle.</p>
<p>Careers that learners in the Automotive Career Excellence Hub can go into include being a vehicle technician, mechanic or electrician, vehicle body repairer, vehicle paint technician, or a parts salesperson or advisor. These careers are lucrative, with individuals in these roles earning a good living. For example, a vehicle technician earns on average £26,068.</p>
<p>On top of attending the Career Excellence Hub, learners will be able to study at one of our three full-size Automotive workshops at the South West Skills Campus. This area features working vehicle ramps and all of the tools that learners will find in industry. The Automotive team also has several cars which can be worked on by learners to learn crucial skills such as servicing, diagnostics and repair. These vehicles are changed and updated frequently to provide further experience of different models and issues.</p>
<p>For more information on how to apply to Weston College and join our amazing Career Excellence Hub for Automotive, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/motor… here</a>. </p>
<p>Weston College has been named as the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Provider of the Year for the third year in a row.</p>
<p>The awards were virtual this year, and were hosted by BBC personality, Ali Vowles. There were winners from across the region, as the hard work of apprentices, employers and training providers were recognised.</p>
<p>Weston College learners picked up prestigious awards too, with Harvey Castree (Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy & Electrical) and Danny Gould-Dyer (Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Health, Wellbeing, Care & Education) winning their categories.</p>
<p>The highlight of the evening was the Bristol & Bath Apprentice of the Year award which went to Harvey, for his fantastic work with his employer, GKN Aerospace.</p>
<p>This is further success for the Weston College Apprenticeship Team, with Leadership and Management apprentice, Dan Green, recently winning the Gloucestershire Apprentice of the Year.</p>
<p>The College delivers a range of apprenticeships from Level 2 to degree-level and works with many high-profile employers in the Bristol and Bath area, including the Ministry of Defence and GKN Aerospace and Royal United Hospitals Bath.</p>
<p>Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to win this award for the third year in a row, it really does showcase the amazing work that goes on in this College on a daily basis.</p>
<p>“Our team are once again bucking the national trend, creating new opportunities for our learners. Our apprentices are also having huge impacts on their businesses, and it is fantastic to see.</p>
<p>“I’m also delighted for our learners, as we had six apprentices make the finals, with both Harvey and Danny coming out victorious. Our learners show such a fantastic attitude to their studies and I am thrilled to see them performing so well in such a difficult period.”</p>
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