Castleford College Engineering & Automotive Newsletter Autumn 2024
Department Newsletter
Summer I 2024
Welcome
Greetings from Castleford College’s Automotive & Engineering Department!
I am thrilled to welcome you to read our departmental newsletter, an exciting new publication designed to keep you informed and engaged with the latest happenings, developments and opportunities in our amazing department.
As the head of the department, I am continually inspired by the passion and innovation that our students and staff bring to the world of automotive and engineering industries. This newsletter is our way of sharing that inspiration with you.
In this edition, you can expect to find a wealth of information. We’ll bring you the latest news from our department, keeping you up-to-date with current trends, industry advancements and departmental achievements.
We believe in the power of real stories to inspire and guide. That’s why we will be featuring student case studies showcasing the journeys, challenges and successes of our students. These stories not only highlight the real-world application of our courses but also serve as a testament to the supportive and innovative environment that Castleford College offers.
Greg Clark Head of Engineering & Automotive
Biffa selects Castleford College as its Apprenticeship training provider
Hundreds of students embarked on their next steps with us last September at Castleford College, including new apprentices Bailey and Nathan, undertaking their Level 3 Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Apprenticeships. On hand to launch this new chapter for them were their employers, Biffa, who are keen supporters of the College’s apprenticeship offering.
As the leading sustainable waste management company in the UK, with bases in Hull, Grimsby and Nottingham, Biffa has made the decision to recruit and train apprentices, providing a route to a rewarding career whilst achieving a nationally recognised qualification.
Richard Hoyland, Biffa Regional Fleet Engineer for East Anglia & Humberside, said: “We’re continually looking for new routes to attract talent into our industry, and this apprenticeship programme with Castleford College allows our apprentices to learn from people who have been in the industry for over four decades, ensuring that these lifelong and sought after skills aren’t lost.”
Bailey and Nathan enjoyed their induction for the Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance & Repair Apprenticeship in the HGV workshop, with Nathan commenting: “I was excited about coming to Castleford College and I have really enjoyed the induction, finding out what we will be learning in the different units. The apprenticeship is very engaging, the skills you learn are transferrable and you are required to use your initiative all the time.”
Bailey agreed; “Initially, I had some nerves, but my experience has been truly enriching. The workshops here are excellent and there’s a lot more you learn about than just vehicles; its logical thinking.”
Group marks students’ achievements at Annual Awards Ceremony
The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group ended the year on a high as it celebrated its students’ achievements at its Annual Student Awards Ceremony.
Held in December at Castleford College, 20 awards were presented throughout the evening across a range of subjects including Construction, Engineering and Mathematics.
The event was attended by learners from Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College alongside their family members, staff and Governors from the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group and distinguished guests from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Waystone. This included Jeffrey Utley MBE from the IET, who presented the Engineering Prize for Student Excellence to Elliot Barugh.
Jeffrey Utley MBE said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to present this award on behalf of the IET. The IET is an institute for professionals, but
we understand that everyone needs to start somewhere and that is why we are committed to supporting awards such as these to inspire and encourage young learners into careers in the Engineering sector.”
Elliot Barugh, who studies Engineering (Fitting and Assemblies Technology) at Castleford College, said: “I feel very proud of myself for winning this award and I’m grateful to my tutor Tim Shipman for pushing me to get the grades – it shows that hard work really does pay off.”
End of Year Student Awards 2023
Students from our department end the academic year on a high with a student awards ceremony. Winners of the Automotive & Engineering are also presented with prizes donated by award sponsors.
See all the photos from the awards here:
Scan the QR Code to look at last years awards.
Work Placements
It is important that our students learn firsthand the operations of businesses within their chosen sector. We understand the value of employer contributions and the positive impact these have on young people.
All our students complete weeklong placements in the industry in which they are studying. Longer term Industry Placements support our T-Level qualifications like the students in this video who are completing placements with Drax:
Scan the QR Code to watch the video.
Hear from our Students
Automotive
Michael
I chose to come to Castleford College as I live local, it’s easy to get to and there are more courses to choose from. I started on the FLEX programme and have progressed to Level 1 Body Repair to the Level 2 Certificate in Body and Paint, and I am now studying the Level 2 Diploma in Body and Paint. I like all aspects of the course; I have learnt to mix paint correctly and learnt how to use the spray booth.
I believe my confidence has grown; I didn’t have a dream job at first but I would like to work in a garage spray painting cars.
Engineering
Crawford
I chose to do a T Level in Engineering & Manufacturing because it gives me work experience as well as theory, which will help further me in my career. I enjoy my industry placement at Drax Power Station in Selby the most and doing handson learning in the workshop. I can also apply the theory I’m learning in the classroom whilst in the workshop both at Drax and in the College.
Drax and at the College have been very helpful and supportive. They are willing to send me any details I need or help me with any questions I might have, especially my tutors at the College and team leaders at Drax.
Extracurricular Activities
At Castleford College, we like to ensure our students have lots of extracurricular activities throughout the week that they can join. These are a great way to make friends and have a break from their studies, as well as an opportunity to hone a new skill and enjoy themselves whilst doing it!
Find us on Instagram for more content; @hoyactivities
LGTBQ+ Club
A club for our LGBTQ+ members of the College, helping with student support in a weekly social group. The club sometimes set up a booth where they give out badges and leaflets and engage in educational conversations with fellow students about the community.
Darts Club
Over 100 students have already been participating in our darts sessions throughout the week. These take place in the Library Social Area over break and lunchtimes.
Cooking Club
The Cooking Club are always creating the tastiest dishes from sweet treats to fajitas and pizzas!
Kickboxing
Some of our students got involved in an exhilarating 10-week kickboxing course! The course ran in both the Autumn and Winter terms and saw the students learn all the basics of the sport, progressing rapidly each week. At the end, they were all examined and graded.
Apprentice sets his sights on World Skills UK final
A Fabrication and Welding apprentice from Castleford College is putting his welding skills to the test, as he prepares to take part in the World Skills UK SkillsWeld final.
Kalum Smart, a Fabrication and Welding apprentice with TASCA Tankers Ltd, is one of 10 finalists in the SkillsWeld competition who will be competing for gold, silver or bronze.
Kalum said: “I’m really looking forward to the finals and being able to demonstrate the welding skills I’ve learnt both in college and on the job with TASCA Tankers Ltd. My tutors have supported me since the start of the competition, helping me to test/improve my Metal Active Gas (MAG), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Manual Metal Arc (MMA) and Flux Core welding skills, and I hope all this hard work will pay off during the competition week.”
Kalum secured first place in the regional heats which took place at Castleford College in June, where he demonstrated his vast range of welding skills.
Representing Yorkshire and Humberside in the competition, Kalum was tested on four separate tests covering the three main types of welding processes - gas tungsten arc welding, stick welding and metal insert gas welding.
Once the regional heats were completed, Kalum and his fellow apprentices were presented with their certificates and gift bags by Engineering Skills Competitions, Code A Weld and Air Products.
Tom McDonnell, Technical Director at Tasca Tankers Limited, said: “At Tasca Tankers, we work closely with local colleges and are able to attract the very best apprentices to become part of our very successful production team. We pride ourselves on the high-end quality of our tankers. Kalum continues to hone his skills as part of our excellent production team. We are very proud of his achievements and wish him every success in the forthcoming competition.”
We want to ensure that our students are continuously challenging themselves and developing their skills in line with the needs of the industry, and the SkillsWeld competition offers them the perfect opportunity to do this. Taking part in a nationally recognised and prestigious competition such as this will help to give them an advantage when they progress into employment, setting them up for prosperous careers in the sector. We’re incredibly proud of all our apprentices who took part in the regional heats and of Kalum for making it to the final – we’re all rooting for him!”
- Gary Wright, Fabrication and Welding Lecturer at Castleford College.
College staff ride 400 miles for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Staff from Castleford College have ridden over 400 miles for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, raising more than £545 for the charity.
Their latest ride started at the College with the team making their way to the east coast, covering seaside towns Bridlington and Scarborough.
Andy Kitchen, Lecturer in Engineering and Automotive, said: “The team of riders consists of staff from all areas of the College, with many of us keen motor cyclists. Between us, we have ridden more than 400 miles to fundraise for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The charity is special to us all as it does so much to help bikers across the Yorkshire area and the wider community and that is why we plan to make this an annual charity ride.”
Additional Learning Support Officer, Claire Coppin, took part in the challenge to show her support for Yorkshire Air Ambulance after she was airlifted to hospital by Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s crews following a road traffic incident in 2006.
Acknowledging their achievements, Stephanie Maynard, the West Yorkshire Community Fundraiser from Yorkshire Air Ambulance, visited the College to present the staff with their cheque.
Claire Roberts, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “Castleford College’s donation is a real life-saver. It will help us provide a rapid response emergency service to five million people. On average, our crews respond to around 1,700 incidents each year – that’s nearly five missions a day across Yorkshire. Thanks to generous donations such as this, we now have plans to improve our service by expanding our fleet to include a third helicopter and employing our own Technical Crew Members. This means we will have greater operational availability, which is so important to us, our patients and the people of Yorkshire.”
