- A local car dealership has donated a MINI to Blackburn College motoring students, after they brought a MINI back to full working condition.
Bowker Motor Group on Trident Park in Blackburn had run the 15 year-old MINI’s engine without oil during a recent family open day. Visitors entered a competition to guess how long it would run for.
Finally, the dealership tested local automotive students’ skills and expertise in repairing the damage.
Bowker BMW service manager Stewart Rose said: “We decided to set the students a challenge. And we said if the they could save the car - they could keep it. It was an unusual issue for them to deal with. But they did it. And we hope the car will now help others to enjoy real-life practical experience.”
The students who all study at Blackburn College’s Regional Automotive Technology Hub (RATH) Centre gave the car a complete overhaul including an engine service with new BMW oil and filters. After a little magic the mini engine started..
Ayub Moosa, STEM industry links manager at Blackburn College, said: “It was a great challenge for our students. And a wonderful prize to win the car and continue to use as a resource for our practical engineering education.”
Bowker BMW enjoys a strong relationship with Blackburn College. Last year, a Bowker Motor Group apprentice was honoured for outstanding achievements at the annual Blackburn College Apprenticeship Awards.
Daniel Lovatt-Henshaw,16, from Longridge won the Overall Apprenticeship Award, from a total of more than 16 apprentices. Daniel also won the Young Apprentice Award from the Business, Computing and Motor Vehicle department.
The former St Cecilia’s RC High School student has recently begun a full-time position at Bowker after completing his Level 2 Motor vehicle course at Blackburn College.
Daniel was one of the first Motor Vehicle apprentices to study at the new £5.5 million RATH Centre. The RATH Centre opened in August 2014 specifically for students who want to work in the motor vehicle industry.
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