Supercar Megabuild star Ralph unveils Blackburn College's Hybrid and Electric training centre.
Ralph Hosier, presenter of the TV series Supercar Megabuild and Scrapyard Supercar was on hand to officially open Blackburn College’s new Hybrid Electric Automotive Training (HEAT) facility on Thursday 10th November 2022.
Ralph led masterclasses for students from Rhyddings High School and students from Blackburn College at the college’s £500k HEAT facility, before welcoming visitors from businesses across the region and Blackburn MP Kate Hollern.
During the event visitors had the chance to tour the facilities and see first-hand the investment which includes state-of-the -art rigs which can simulate faults that can happen in electric and hybrid cars.
HEAT was funded by the Department for Education, as part of the £1.3m Skills Accelerator Project which aims to bridge the skills gap in low-carbon vehicle mechanics. The facility focuses on Electric and Hybrid vehicle maintenance, service and repair.
The centre located in the College’s Regional Automotive Technology Hub (RATH) building will support the Government’s commitment to withdrawing the sale of new petrol or diesel cars in 2030 as part of the UK’s net-zero targets.
Ralph Hosier said: “I’m really impressed with the focus that Blackburn College has to support the students of the local community. Electric and Hybrid vehicles are a vital part of modern life and this facility has exactly the right technology to enable students to make real positive contributions to the local community.
“From speaking to the students today I can tell how inspired and enabled they are by the college, at a time when industry is changing so rapidly. It’s fantastic that the college has embraced new technology and teaching methods which are not only amazing but are also vital.”
It’s fantastic that the college has embraced new technology and teaching methods which are not only amazing but are also vital.
Ralph Hosier
Michael Yerbury, Blackburn College Advanced Automotive Technical Trainer said: “We are thrilled to have officially opened HEAT, it is a fantastic new facility which is already helping to bridge the skills gap in low carbon vehicle mechanics in Lancashire.
Working alongside business partners, we will be able to provide our students with access to cutting-edge technologies and skills development that will help meet the needs of their future employers.”
