Industry right behind new Motor Sport programme

Industry right behind new Motor Sport programme

The motor sport industry is backing a new qualification in Motorsport – one of only two available in New Zealand.

UCOL’s new Certificate in Motor Sport aims to help boost the sport’s talent pool and has been developed in consultation with the industry. It is supported by industry leaders, including the Motor Sport Association and Toyota New Zealand.

The programme also has the support of the Manfeild Park motor racing circuit in Feilding and will be based at the Manfeild Park circuit complex in Feilding, near Palmerston north.

Manfeild Park chief executive Philip Abraham says the UCOL programme fills a gap at a time when interest in motor sport is booming and he expects graduates to be in high demand. “Until now, the only source of mechanical engineers with specific motor sport training has been the Manakau Institute of Technology programme based in Pukekohe. This similar programme will give us a much needed further source of trained talent.”

UCOL Lecturer Lance Funnell says students will have the advantage of being trained in a fully equipped workshop, right beside one of New Zealand’s iconic international race tracks.
“During the programme, students will work in teams, stripping down and then rebuilding a racing car, to a standard high enough to meet the requirements for three classes of motor racing,” he says.

“The programme has been designed to give students the best possible preparation for work in the industry. It has a very strong practical component and its location at Manfeild Park will give students a sense of real life, real time.”

The programme will run full-time over 32 weeks. Training will also cover a wide range of other topics, including panelbeating and painting and inserting a roll cage. “On completion students will have covered a wide range of aspects of motor sport and will be ready to either get a job in the motor sport industry or to continue their studies in specific areas,” says Lance.

He says the Certificate in Motor Sport programme is aimed at students with a passion for motor sport, who are also hard workers with lots of perseverance and can cope with the pace and high pressure of pit stop work.

The new Certificate in Motor Sport programme will be launched on Thursday 13 March from 5.30 to 7.30 pm at the Toyota corporate box at Manfeild in Feilding. Guest speaker will be television and radio star and motor sports enthusiast Robbie Rakete.

The programme starts on 14 April. More information is available at www.ucol.ac.nz or email enquiry@ucol.ac.nz.

ENDS

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