UTC students go “on the buses”

STUDENTS at Warrington’s University Technical College have been inspired to use their technical engineering skills to aid the town’s bus network.
A visit to the headquarters of Warrington’s Own Buses – formerly known as Network Warrington – enabled them to tour the engineering facilities and take part in a Q & A session to explore the skills required for a career in the industry.
The Year 10 group from the Dallam Lane college met with the company’s current apprentices to understand the benefits of taking up an apprenticeship within the engineering sector, as well as understand the prestige and benefits attached to this career route.
UTC Warrington specialises in engineering, equipping its students with the technical skills and knowledge for future careers within the specialist area, supporting students in applying for apprenticeships and university.
The college launches a new BTEC Civil Engineering course for its sixth form students from September. Projects, including improving the Warrington road infrastructure to accommodate new buses, have been welcomed by Warrington’s Own Buses. The company also reinforced the importance of electrical engineering subjects, including Systems & Control and Computer Science, which it says are vital for maintaining a modern fleet of buses.
Rich Harris, responsible for employer engagement at UTC Warrington, said: “The addition of Warrington’s Own Buses as one of our employer partners is crucial. The students’ skills developed in our £1m engineering facility are key to local businesses, particularly when there is a demand for skilled engineers to work in growing organisations.
“The new civil engineering course will tie in nicely with the operations of a local bus company and, as a result, enhance the CVs of our students”
Ben Wakerley, managing director of Warrington’s Own Buses, celebrated the students’ visit: “We are very pleased to be working with UTC to show how the skills they are learning are put into practice in industry. There is always a demand for skilled workers, including apprentices, to keep our fleet on the road. We need more aspiring engineers to come through!”