Time to get your career on track with SKIDZ

June, 15, 2015: Now is the time to sign up for next term’s motor mechanics courses with Buckinghamshire-based charity motor project SKIDZ.

The charity has its own workshops in High Wycombe but also has strong links to Amersham & Wycombe College and a number of schools and businesses – all with the aim of providing industry-recognised qualifications to young people of all abilities, including those who may be struggling in mainstream education or have left school without formal qualifications.

The range of courses starts with those designed to help young people decide if a career in the motor industry is right for them, all the way to apprenticeships with successful local businesses.

Course director Mick Derry, who is currently speaking to local garages interested in taking on apprentices, said: “Our courses offer a range of meaningful and nationally recognised qualifications accredited by the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI). We are pleased to have seen high volumes of young people at SKIDZ achieve excellent results and many have gone on to gain apprenticeships or work placements within the motor industry at local garages and dealerships.

“As a result of this success we are able to offer even more places this year. Our courses cater for any young person who has an interest in cars and wants to gain new skills that could lead to a promising career in the motor industry.”

The schools course in Service and Maintenance Engineering – IMI Level 1 Diploma is for schoolchildren aged 14+ working towards their GCSEs. Students will learn skills associated with working in a garage or an engineering environment and gain an understanding of health and safety in the workplace. This could lead to a full time motor vehicle studies course or an apprenticeship upon leaving school. The course contains 245 guided learning hours and is assessed through a combination of projects, practical tasks and online exams. It can also count towards the school’s GCSE league tables.

For students over 16, SKIDZ offers both the Motor Vehicle – IMI Level 1 Certificate and Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. The Level 1 is a good way to find out if a career in the automotive industry is right for you, and the Level 2 builds on the qualification to provide the future Automotive Technician with the right knowledge and skills.

The charity also runs Motor Mechanic Apprenticeships – some with companies who have already employed former SKIDZ students. The course could see you work for a dealership and focus on a particular manufacturer, or work for an independent garage that deals with many different makes of light vehicles. You’ll be working in a service technician type role carrying out routine maintenance and basic repairs, as well as identifying and reporting faults.

For job-seekers SKIDZ offers a 12-week part-time course with the opportunity to extend your course to achieve a certificate in Motor Mechanics. The best part is you can also still be eligible to claim Job Seekers Allowance while you are on the course. The course will achieve an ABC Award and covers Health & Safety and an introduction to vehicle inspection, steering and suspension.
Since its launch 16 years ago SKIDZ has helped more than 8,000 disaffected and disadvantaged young people in the region to gain vocational skills in motor mechanics.

See the website at www.SKIDZ.org.uk to find out more about all the courses and to sign up.

PAUL SMITH ASSOCIATES
15th June 2015