A charity-run indoor karting track in Scotland is now teaching car mechanics to more than a hundred pupils a year – double the number it started with three years ago.
Secondary school pupils who sign up for the foundation level apprenticeship at Inverness Kart Raceway learn how an engine works and how to rebuild a braking system. Many of the graduates have gone on to pursue careers in the automotive industry or engineering.
Pete Doherty, a director at Inverness Kart Raceway, told the BBC: ”I really just came here to start the karts. When I was working here I felt guilty I had too much time on my hands and thought maybe I could give something back by putting a wee course together.”
”Being an employability and mentoring charity we are all about giving kids proper work experience and not just sweeping the floor. We’ve got eight kids a day, Monday to Friday, learning how to strip a car and having fun finding out how a car goes.”
Two graduates have secured apprenticeships at a local car dealership, while another graduate, Mollie McKillop, has chosen to study engineering at university.
Fellow course graduate, Mytilda Rattaray, said: ”It’s very different from the classroom environment and not at all like sitting and learning. It’s very hands on and it’s good to have a bit of a difference.”