Gower College Swansea (GCS) is collaborating with University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to inspire and encourage the next generation of Motorsport Engineers.
UWTSD started the first Motorsport Engineering degree in 1998 and has developed an excellent reputation in the industry, enabling students to develop the specific expertise required in the design, development, engineering, and optimisation of competition vehicles in state-of-the-art facilities.
Gower College Swansea’s Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacture Engineering (Motorsport) students attend the University’s SA1 Waterfront campus each week where they are taught by GCS and UWTSD staff. The course was created as a result of this new collaborative partnership.
UWTSD Academic Director Dr. Greg Owen said: “At UWTSD, we have a long history of running Motorsport Engineering courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and to facilitate the needs of our local learners, our two institutions collaborated to enable the development of a Level 3 Diploma in Manufacture Engineering (Motorsport)
“Gower College Swansea learners attend our SA1 campus every Tuesday throughout the academic calendar and are taught collaboratively by college and university teaching staff. We have provided our partners with a motorsport workshop, PC lab and two fully functioning race vehicles for learners to develop the engineering skills associated with Motorsport Engineering.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our university to engage with the local community and to further develop our close working relationship with Gower College Swansea.”
“The partnership between Gower College Swansea and UWTSD is excellent for our students,” said Gower College Swansea Motor Vehicle Curriculum Leader and Lecturer, Jason Lewis.
“Most recently, they have been learning chassis technology with us and putting it into practice in the university by setting a car up with their own specs for the race simulator. It is giving them a real insight into studying at university, showing the career prospects they can aim for and inspiring them to work towards higher salary jobs. There will also be an option for those that complete their courses to start a Degree Apprenticeship at the university. We are thankful to UWTSD and excited to continue our collaboration.”
Denise Thomas, Gower College Swansea’s Engineering Learning Area Manager added; “The learners are really relishing the opportunity to develop their skills at the very well-equipped SA1 campus at UWTSD. I look forward to further opportunities for collaborative work with the university.”
Gower College Swansea student Cameron Andrews said: “I am really enjoying everything about the Motorsport course at the College – it’s a great mix of practical and theory, is quite challenging and I’m learning a lot! I enjoy studying at UWTSD’s Waterfront campus as the lecturers are so knowledgeable and the workshop is huge which is great for the practical work – it’s a great experience.”
Cole Trubey added: “I enrolled on the Motorsport course because I’ve liked cars since I was young and have always wanted to work with them – designing, making, or repairing them. The workshop at UWTSD’s SA1 campus is brilliant; we have access to everything we need including advanced technology and the race simulator! Since starting the course, I’ve now decided that I would like to go into motorsport with a racing team.”
Rhys Thomas said: “I started A Levels but wasn’t enjoying and after taking a year off my studies, I decided that I needed to follow something that I was passionate about. Since I was young, I’ve enjoyed learning about and watching programmes about cars, and so the course at Gower College Swansea was the perfect option. The course is really good fun; I’m enjoying the practical work and assessments and my favourite thing so far has been learning about engines - it’s so interesting how much detail goes into them and how small changes can make such a difference! I really enjoy being in a different environment when we go to UWTSD. The lecturers are good, the views are great from the campus and it’s helpful to learn what university is like. I’m now looking at studying motorsport at university.”