Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

HOME

Hertfordshire Uni gains motorsport educator role

Thursday, 16 August 2007

The University of Hertfordshire is one of the first UK Higher Education providers to gain the award of Motorsport Academy UK Recognised Educator (HE). The award was attained by the University as a result of having been invited to participate in the pilot of the Motorsport Academy’s Employer Recognition Scheme. The scheme is part of the Motorsport Academy’s initiative to recognise and promote achievement by educators and trainers in their ability to provide learners with the precise skills and attributes required by the motorsport industry employers. The scheme also recognises the successes that education and training organisations have in forging links and working with the UK motorsport industry. Alan Combes, head of automotive engineering at the university, addressed the topic at the launch of the scheme at the Motorsport Academy’s Developing World-Class Skills conference this month. “The main reason we went for this award is because we feel that lots of institutions are jumping on the bandwagon of teaching motorsport and we felt that we needed a way to distinguish ourselves as a leading provider of motorsport courses,” said Combes. Automotive Engineering at the university is home to UH Racing which has just raced its 10th Formula Student car in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers competition at Silverstone. The team has also just raced the first hydrogen-powered racing car as a technology demonstrator at the same event and is developing a racing car for disabled drivers. “We congratulate the University of Hertfordshire on its success with our Employer Recognition Scheme and are delighted to see the way it is keen to promote both the values of the scheme and its own achievements,” said Alex Hope, education manager at the Motorsport Academy. “At the launch of the Employer Recognition Scheme at our annual conference, Alan Combes did a great job in supporting the concept that educators must embrace the need to engage with industry and demonstrate their own quality of provision and, as such, is a great ambassador for the university.”

 

< Prev		Next >