A £95,000 grant will give Blackburn College’s new £5 million motor vehicle centre students key experience to pursue successful careers in the automotive industry.

The cash came from educational charity the Edge Foundation.

The college’s Regional Automotive Hub opened in September last year to provide the latest equipment and technology to deliver skills the industry needs in the 21st century.

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The new grant will create a regional Automotive Technology Development Programme, linking the college with industry to provide hands-on learning and work experience to get students employment.

Working with four North West motor dealerships, the scheme will recruit four master technicians, one from each, to deliver industry-based sessions within the classroom.

The news has been welcomed by East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mike Damms as well as Blackburn Labour General Election candidate Kate Hollern.

The grant will also pay for a Career Academy with 40 scholarships, 10 in each dealership.

Individuals would receive direct mentor support to gain additional skills providing local industry with a talent pool for apprenticeships.

The college will work with local firms to establish an employer network, particularly engaging with small independent garages.

The programme will also address skills shortages through a new curriculum including a new parts apprenticeship and vocational qualifications.

College curriculum manager Ayub Moosa, said: “This will support the college’s new Regional Automotive Technology Hub to bring industry direct to the classroom working with the Chorley Nissan Group, Bowker BMW, Blackburn Audi and Simpsons Skoda.”