Level 2 & 3 Engineering and Motor Vehicle students from Bedford College got a jumpstart on their careers with a hands-on learning experience at RWC’s new training facility.
RWC Training welcomed Bedford College students to support the College’s Enhancement Programme, where students spend 36 hours outside of the classroom to engage with the industry they are studying. RWC held a Vehicle Technology Enhanced Learning event to support the college and provide the students with a day of talks, mentoring and practical activities to apply what they learn in the classroom into a real world bodyshop.
RWC provided the students with four activities on the day. Each activity began with an introduction from an expert trainer on the subject, explaining how it is used in a bodyshop environment, followed by the students getting hands on in a practical.
Not only were the students able to experience how a bodyshop works, but they were also exposed to areas which are not part of their college course, such as ADAS and EV vehicle repair – both of which are becoming more and more essential in workshops. Activities on the day included:
- Hybrid/EV high voltage system safety
- Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) calibration
- Welding and manufacturing techniques – creating a stickman Using a spectrometer for colour identification and matching
- Using a spectrometer for colour identification and matching
Rob from RWC said:
“We were thrilled to give students the chance to see the inner workings of a bodyshop first-hand and support the College’s Enhancement Programme. They were able to ask questions, practice essential skills like welding and paint application, and gain exposure to cutting-edge areas like EV repair that will be crucial in their future careers.”
“Our training centre was the perfect place as it is set out like a real-life bodyshop, so they can truly understand the flow of a workshop and the different stages of a repair.”
James Woolley, Head of Motor Vehicle and Engineering at Bedford College said:
“The 36 hours of enhancement is very important for students. We have everything they need at the college, but they get to come into the real world, communicate with and ask questions to those who work in the industry, and receive exposure to areas which are not on the curriculum.”
All students received a certificate and LED work light, and the winner of the welding exercise, where the students created a stickman, also received a prize.
The day concluded on a high note with glowing reviews from students, expressing how the day was “brilliant” and was “full of knowledgeable people and great way to improve my skills”. Many commented they would like to come back again!
By providing students with real-world exposure and practical skills, this programme supports their evolution into the workforce, supporting RWC’s ethos of being future ready. RWC offers a comprehensive suite of training solutions for businesses of all sizes. Learn more about its programmes and how RWC empowers teams here.