University Technical College Visit Vauxhall

LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM – Marc 7, 2013: Forty students from the newly opened UTC educational facility in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire have visited Vauxhall to see leading edge technology at work. The University Technical College (UTC) in Central Bedfordshire is one of the first of its kind to try this new concept in education. It enables students aged 14-19 to focus on engineering, manufacturing and product design whilst still studying core subjects. Opened in 2012, the UTC is taking its first cohort of 14 year olds this September.

At Vauxhall, the group were taken on a Plant Tour including General Assembly and the Body Shop. Prior to the tour they participated in a simulated work environment project. This enabled them to understand what they were about to see and what it is like working in the assembly process.

“We first ask them to complete a non-standardised process, this enables them to evaluate their build quality and record a time,” said Peter Hunt a mechanical engineering undergraduate from Surrey University who is taking his sandwich year with Vauxhall. “The students are then shown how they could improve on their quality and keep waste to a minimum.”

Ashley, an 18 year old student from UTC said, “It’s been awesome, it was great to see the whole manufacturing process unfold before your eyes.”

Barry Nappin, head of Engineering at the UTC said, “The trip to Vauxhall has helped the students recognise teamwork and they now have a better understanding of engineering.”

Vauxhall has just donated a number of engines and gearboxes from the Luton Plant which builds the Vauxhall Vivaro. These parts will be used in the engineering workshop to aid students in specific automotive projects.

“The opportunity to work on new technology will help the students to develop their skills, and improve their chances of securing employment in the future.” said Cherie Denton, Vauxhall’s Community Relations Co-ordinator.