Kicking off a week ago, Haynes Publishing Group will be taking a group of 15 year olds and older on an educational crash course of car mechanics over the next seven weeks.
The Haynes Mechanix scheme will see members of the Prospex Youth Club, which supports young people in the North London borough of Islington, take a one week intensive course followed by five weeks of evening classes.
Haynes is full funding and supplying all the car manuals for the course, and have teamed up with London Youth, to give the youngsters the opportunity to gain a City and Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Employability and Personal Development.
Rosie Ferguson, Chief Executive of London Youth said: Young people want opportunities to try new things, work as a team and develop practical skills in places they trust and choose to go. We’re delighted that Haynes Publishing are responding to this need by supporting a pilot project at Prospex, one of our member youth clubs in Islington.
“Using the expertise of Haynes Publishing, participants will work as part of a team to learn how to maintain and repair a car and gain accreditation for their work. Whether their participation in Haynes Mechanix sparks a career in the industry or simply raises awareness of how to maintain their own car one day, this project will be of great benefit.
The first three weeks will focus on education and training, which will be taken be someone who has worked as a technician and more recently as a MOT assessor, covering everything from changing a wheel through to replacing a spark plug.
This will be continued into the last three weeks and the course concludes with an assessment to track the young people’s progress.
Richard Frankland, Youth Services Manager, Prospex added: “I remember getting my first car and the pleasure it gave working on the engine in evenings and at weekends and the satisfaction and sense of achievement when a problem was fixed.
“It will give young people the chance to get their hands dirty and learn basic mechanics for themselves. It will increase their confidence, show commitment and also gain accreditation which is always a benefit for their CVs. We are looking forward to seeing how the programme develops.”
The aim is to try and enthuse and inspire the next generation into potentially going into vehicle maintenance and repair, and if the pilot is a success the programme will be rolled out to other boroughs across London.
J Haynes, Group of Haynes Publishing, said: “This educational partnership will hopefully promote the ‘do-it-yourself’ mentality and entrepreneurial spirit that we at Haynes have been so proud of since we were founded 54 years ago.
“As well as learning new technical and life skills and getting a respected and widely recognised qualification, we hope this project will help the young people to realise their potential, giving them the confidence (in themselves) and motivation to seek future employment.”
During the seven week scheme, CAT Magazine will be keeping tracking the young people’s progress and getting their opinion on how they feel they are progressing, stay tuned!
Please can you tell me if there are likely to be future Haynes Mechanix courses in Debden Purlieu, Hampshire?, and who I can contact about a course?. Thank you, Jane Randell