News & Press
Uxbridge College is pioneering the latest in high tech learning with its new training technologies for electric and hybrid car maintenance and repairs.
The college recently took delivery of a Mini Electric, which is being used hand in hand with its new state-of-the-art electric car simulator, the Car Train. Its EV (Electric Vehicle) courses will support the major shift towards the use of electric and hybrid vehicles, as the UK moves to end its contribution to global warming.
Full-time, part-time and Apprentice Motor Vehicle students will use the Car Train to gain the necessary skills to progress safely to working on the real car, with its high voltage electric systems. Amongst the Car Train’s features are real car parts including a life-size ignition and keys - which actually start the simulator - a real electric charging system and ‘hose’ tether charging lead, and a miniature drive shaft and wheels which turn. Its touch-screen monitor shows CGI imagery of the car dashboard, internal layout and other training diagrams.
Neil Benjamin-Miller, Head of Engineering - Technology and Innovation at Uxbridge College, part of the merged college group HCUC, said: “This is really exciting for both students and staff at the college and it is also an excellent opportunity for employers big and small to start upskilling their current staff to be able to work with electric cars too. This year’s figures show that nearly 7% of car sales are now electric or hybrid (ie BEV or PHEV), which is a massive increase year on year, and our training will cover mechanics to work on all the current models.
“Currently the vast majority of mechanics are qualified to work solely with combustion engines, with approximately just 5% of mechanics qualified and registered as TechSafe to work on electric vehicles. We want as many young people and adult learners as possible to be able to qualify to work with electric and hybrid vehicles, and it is fantastic to have this technology to make it so accessible and enjoyable.
“You might not think “intuitive and fun” are the first words you’d use to describe motor vehicle training technologies - but we think it definitely applies to the Car Train! We are also the only college in west London to have one.”
The Car Train is made by the German engineering firm Lucas Nuelle, and can be readily adapted to the configuration of the leading EV technology car brands. It is currently being used at Uxbridge College and will also be used at the West London Institute of Technology, also run under the HCUC banner.
EV courses at Uxbridge College are approved by the industry body the IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) which develops skills benchmarks and qualifications and represents the UK industry nationally and globally.
Car Train EV accredited courses are run at Levels 1, 2 and 3 – starting with First Responder skills ie dealing with accidents – and progressing to maintenance and repairs. The college aims to introduce a Level 4 course which covers battery maintenance and repair from the Autumn.
A top-performing Uxbridge College student has scooped a major scholarship worth £20,000 for one of the country’s best universities.
Bistrit Gurung, who is 19 and originally from Nepal, was awarded a Vice-Chancellor's scholarship for the University of York, one of the prestigious Russell Group universities, to study Law.
He is currently completing the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and is predicted the highest possible grades - three Distinction* - and plans to work in corporate or commercial law. Every year more than 700 students from the college progress to universities across the country, including many prestigious institutions. A total of 80% of Level 3 learners from the Business School go on to Higher Education.
Bistrit’s scholarship application included questions about why he wanted to study at York, including how it would help him achieve his ambitions, as well as what he had done to strive towards excellence.
Bistrit said: “I wanted to go to York because it has an excellent reputation and is a beautiful city. It was also recommended to me. I have worked hard but I’d also like to say a big thank you to those who helped me at Uxbridge College. Afshin Najafipour, the International Officer, and my tutor Mohammed Adrees really helped me through this process - applying to uni as well as for the scholarship. It has been a rewarding experience being at Uxbridge College and I have made some great friends.
“The people and the rules are different in Nepal and they don’t have the same kind of opportunities as in the UK. I will probably work in London after I graduate because that is where so many of the big employers are, and I also have family here.”
Even though the pandemic has limited work experience opportunities, Bistrit has taken part in virtual work experience and additional courses at the law firms Browne Jacobson and Linklaters, and with Hillingdon Council. He will be reading LLB (Hons) Law at York. He also played football in the First Team at Uxbridge College and plans to continue playing at university, as well as enjoying kickboxing.
Afshin, who is part of Uxbridge College’s Advice, Information and Guidance team, said: “Bistrit is a diligent, highly-motivated student, who has adapted into UK life and education incredibly well. He sets himself ambitious standards, which have led to the achievement of fantastic results. The scholarship award he has received from the University of York is a culmination of all his hard work and effort.
“I hope that Bistrit’s success inspires not just international students, but all students, to aim high and apply for scholarship opportunities. Our team finds that many learners are unaware of scholarships on offer - but it really does pay to do your research! We would encourage any student - even those who are still at school and just thinking about coming to college - to contact us. We can advise and offer advice on how to give yourself the best chance of success, and for school leavers we can help you plan ahead and think about the right steps to a Higher Education for you, whether through an academic or vocational route.”
New ‘bite-size’ courses taught at undergraduate-level are being launched at West London Institute of Technology (WLIoT).
The ‘HN Flex’ courses are individual units drawn from the full BTEC HNC courses which are also taught at WLIoT in Construction, Digital Technology, and Engineering subjects.
The first HN Flex course is a seven week Level 4 course taught on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with some Saturdays, starting 4 May with Construction Practice and Management.
The aim of this Flex unit is to develop and provide students with a holistic understanding of construction practice and management processes. Candidates will normally be in more senior roles and have achieved a qualification at Level 3 (A level or equivalent or above).
HN Flex units can help improve staff work efficiencies as well as being used to meet employer training requirements.
HNCs often lead on to HND qualifications, which in turn can lead to a final year ‘top up’ degree which is popular with students at this level.
The courses are currently being taught remotely by Uxbridge College and Harrow College, part of the merged college group HCUC which is the lead partner in WLIoT.
For more information go to https://www.westlondoniot.ac.uk/courses/construction/continuing-professional-development-course/