Motor vehicle students from West Nottinghamshire College were able to visit well-known local operator Redfern Travel recently for a tour of the company’s site. More than 30 Level 2 Motor Vehicle and Multi-skills students from the college’s Sutton-in-Ashfield engineering campus visited the company, where they had the chance to see the various departments including bodywork and mechanical engineering garages, the graphic design department and the MOT and servicing areas.
Staff at Redfern Travel gave students a tour of the site and prepared a number of activities which challenged the students’ knowledge and skills. They were able to try out a continuity test which checks for damaged cables and determining electrical current flow. Students also learnt about various tools on a tool board and took part in a tyre check challenge and puzzle board which trialled their patience and attention to detail.
Redfern Travel has been in operation for over 60 years, and is the provider of the college’s student bus service. Since the tour, the company has offered the students an opportunity to apply for a work trial which will lead to an apprenticeship from September, and has vacancies for 10 individuals to gain a placement.
Redfern Travel and Johnson Bros. Tours owner Scott Johnson said: “So far we have received 18 CVs from students applying for our apprenticeship position within our mechanical department. This is very positive news. It was also great to hear the feedback from the students who visited us and to listen to their outlook on life in general, their aims in life and to hear their feedback about our facilities.”
Work placement officer for the college’s engineering, motor vehicle and fabrication and welding curriculum Steph Ayuso-Miles, said: “Students had the opportunity to find out as much as they could about the business and possible careers on offer during the visit to Redfern’s. We hope to make this work placement visit a regular feature.
“Thanks to the great feedback from students and the great interest in the apprentice positions, Redfern is now looking to sponsor the college with an award for ‘apprentice of the year’ within the motor vehicle department. We’re delighted that this will see first, second and third prizes of £500, £250 and £100 respectively.”
Student William Ruales, 19, said: “I found the mechanic part of the Redfern tour the most interesting. I decided to apply for one of the vacancies and I was so pleased to discover I was successful – I can’t wait to start.”
