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Automotive &
Engineering
Courses

You will learn and hone your Automotive & Engineering skills within specialised buildings including Gwenvor, Seaton and Valency, all purpose-built centres for trade skills and engineering offering a wide range of Automotive & Engineering courses.

Industry leading facilities

Purpose-built workshops and teaching rooms provide the resources to develop the knowledge needed for a successful career. You will benefit from the College's promotion of excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) including the £7million South West Institute of Technology Valency building.

There are many opportunities to visit manufacturing and maintenance companies as part of your studies to reinforce your understanding of industrial practices. We also encourage, support and facilitate work placements for all learners to further enhance your knowledge and employability.

Click above to watch our film on studying Automotive & Engineering at Truro and Penwith College and the career and university opportunities available.

A photo of Deputy Team Leader, Freddy Ash
“ (3)

The state-of-the-art facilities and high quality teaching will ensure your experience with us is immensely enjoyable and also equips you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need to thrive in this rapidly changing industry.

Freddy Ash - Deputy Team Leader

a variety of courses

Our courses in this department range from an A Level in Electronics and Engineering Diplomas to Mechatronic Apprenticeships. Whatever your ability, background or gender, we have a practical Automotive and Engineering course that will build your knowledge and experience in this fast-developing field.

practical learning

On one of our engineering or mechanics courses, you’ll be practicing your trade in our purpose-built workshops. Our courses are geared towards giving you the skills and practical knowledge you need to do well in the working world. Taught by tutors who have years of industry experience under their belts, you’ll gain specialist insights to help you get ahead in your chosen career path.

apprenticeships

Alternatively, you can enrol in our Apprenticeship programme and earn a real wage while you learn in a working role. Under the tuition and coaching of an industry professional, you’ll develop your skills by working on real projects all while gaining a qualification.

Automotive PC 0004

Immersive Automotive Experiences

A multi-million pound investment into electric vehicles to meet industry needs has allowed the department to create truly state-of-the-art facilities that lead the industry. You will also have access to highly equipped workshops and EV Labs, allowing for learning to progress from desktop training modules to state-of-the-art training rigs with in-built faults, before progressing onto live vehicles.

Our Fitness for Work gym programme, which you can access in employability lessons, helps to build the physical stamina required for employment in a workshop environment.

Visit

You will have access to multiple trips and visits, which showcase the employment options open to you on completion of your studies.

 

Awards

Staff have been recognised nationally with one staff member winning the Technician of the Year award at Seat and another receiving a certificate of excellence at the National Pearson Teaching Awards.

GCSE

The Automotive Department works closely with GCSE and Functional Skills staff to ensure you will gain the vital core skills needed to succeed in your chosen career.

45,800

Over the next ten years, it is estimated that 45,800 technicians will be needed nationally. This builds on the 9% growth that the sector has seen over the previous ten years with 15,000 new technician roles created over that period.

“ (3)

My favourite part of my Apprenticeship is learning new skills both at work and at college and then putting them into practice in my day-to-day work.

Jack, Level 3 Technical Support Technician Apprentice at Teagle
Jack Level 3 Technical Support Technician Apprenticeship at Truro and Penwith College. Jack wears overalls and protective wear, working with machinery at his workplace, Teagle.
An electric car is being serviced in the automotive bay.

FSI Automotive Industry Training

FSI Automotive at Truro & Penwith College offers short, part-time courses to meet the needs of the local automotive industry. All our training is delivered by industry professionals in purpose-built workshops, from Level 3 Accreditation and MOT Training, to Electric Vehicle Courses, Level 4 and bespoke Masterclass courses.

Select a pathway

All

IMI Level 3 Award in Automotive Refrigerant Handling

Part Time
Penwith College
A student observes equipment in the engineering bay with their arms folded.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering

Full Time
Truro College
A student wearing overalls and protective eyewear looks down at engineering equipment.

C&G Level 2 Diploma in Machining (Foundation Knowledge)

Full Time
Truro College

IMI Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair

Full Time
Truro College

IMI Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair

Full Time
Penwith College
An automotive and engineering student in overalls works on an engine.

IMI Level 1 Diploma in Automotive Maintenance

Full Time
Truro College
School Leaver

Apprenticeship Standard: Metal Fabricator L3

Full Time
Truro College
Automotive and engineering staff and student look under the bonnet of a car.

IMI Level 1 Diploma in Automotive Maintenance

Full Time
Penwith College

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering

Full Time
STEM & Health Skills Centre Bodmin
An automotive and engineering student in overalls works on an engine.

Apprenticeship Standard: Autocare Technician L2

Full Time
Penwith College

Apprenticeship Standard: Engineering Operative L2

Full Time
Truro College
An automotive student works on a laptop in an automotive bay. There are cars in the background.

Apprenticeship Standard: Autocare Technician L2

Full Time
Truro College
An automotive and engineering student in overalls works on an engine.

IMI Level 1 Diploma in Automotive Maintenance

Full Time
Truro College

IMI Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair

Full Time
Truro College
University Centre

FAQs

To apply for an automotive and engineering course at Truro and Penwith College, visit the course page on our official college website and complete your application online.

Entry requirements for automotive and engineering programs vary. Check the specific course details on the college website or prospectus or contact the admissions office for the most accurate and up-to-date information on entry requirements.

Students at Truro and Penwith College benefit from experiences with industry leading companies to develop skills and understanding of the latest electric and hybrid vehicles. You will also have access to some of the best EV training rigs and diagnostic equipment in the country to enable you to learn vital skills for future employment.

At Truro and Penwith College you will find state-of-the-art facilities and purpose-built workshops and classrooms to equip you with the industry-relevant skills you need to succeed. Our campuses provide industry-standard engineering and motor vehicle buildings and our STEM and Health Skills Centre features engineering workshops, a health simulation suite and modern digital technology.

Yes, in addition to learning on campus, there are many opportunities to visit manufacturing and maintenance companies as part of your studies. We also encourage, support and facilitate work placements for all of our learners to further enhance your knowledge and employability.

We strongly recommend making an application for your chosen course as soon as you can when you are in your final year of school. After you have submitted your application, you will be invited to attend an interview where you can make amendments to your application if need be.

Truro College

Tel: 01872 305000
Email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Truro College,
College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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Penwith College

Tel: 01736 809000
Email: penwithenquiries@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Penwith College,
St Clare Street, Penzance,
Cornwall, TR18 2SA
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STEM & Health Skills Centre

Tel: 01208 224455
Email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

STEM & Health Skills Centre,
Ottery Building, Old Callywith Road, Bodmin, PL31 2GU
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University Centre

Tel: 01872 305750
Email: heenquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

University Centre Truro & Penwith,
Fal Building, College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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Future Skills Institute

Tel: 01872 308000
Email: futureskills@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Truro & Penwith College,
College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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