Students drive career change at Bilston’s new automotive college

Former primary teacher turned mechanic is among the students at the £8.1 City of Wolverhampton College aiming to tackle youth unemployment in the West Midlands

Students drive career change at Bilston’s new automotive college
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The new £8.1 City of Wolverhampton College Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre in Bilston is equipping students with skills for an industry facing an ageing workforce. The purpose-built campus, part of the council’s Learning Quarter master plan, opened last September and offers specialised courses, including a focus on electric vehicles and robotics.

One student is Grace Campbell, 28, from south Staffordshire, who switched careers from primary school teaching after fixing her electric vehicle’s wing mirror using online video tutorials. Despite her family initially dismissing her interest in mechanics as a male industry, Ms Campbell stated: “As I’ve got older, I’ve realised women can do whatever they want.”

After encouragement from her grandmother, she enrolled in an evening course in 2023. Now on Level 3, she will begin teaching automotive studies at the college next September. Ms Campbell plans to inspire others: “The next best thing for me to do is to inspire and upskill the next generation who want to be in the industry and encourage more women and girls to come forward and join.”

Fellow student Antonio Keise, 24, from Wolverhampton, is also flourishing on the course and is keen to work with electric and hybrid vehicles. He noted the quality of the teaching: “I’m really, really enjoying it and learnt so much and the tutors have worked at Aston Martin and JLR so have good knowledge.”

Assistant principal Richard Hewitt said about 200 students enrolled this year and predicted another 5,500 would come through the centre over the next decade. He added: “There’s obviously issues in cities with youth unemployment and we’re doing everything we can to give them the expertise and facilities as well to thrive and get into jobs.”

Source: BBC

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