These courses are designed to equip individuals with practical skills, knowledge and understanding required for success in progression to future employment for a range of engineering, motor vehicle and operations maintenance occupations.

Lowestoft College is a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in Offshore Technology. CoVE status has been awarded by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) to support the development of new and existing training programmes.

Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT are integrated into each course at an appropriate level.

This Level 1 qualification covers the basic technical needs for today’s motor vehicle repair industry. It provides essential knowledge for service technicians working on light vehicles (cars and vans) in all types of garages, dealerships and maintenance depots.

It is a learning programme which involves students studying both the theory and practical aspects of the following:

• Light vehicle construction and routine maintenance
• Operating principles of light vehicle engines, tyres, brakes, steering and suspension systems
• Operating principles and maintenance of light vehicle transmission systems and electrical and electronic systems

Learners gain a broad knowledge and understanding of health and safety in the workplace and other skills associated with working in a garage. Knowledge is assessed by IMI Awards set practical assessments in our extensive motor vehicle workshop with ‘on-line’ multiple-choice testing.

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSE’s Grade D or above including maths and science as well as the aptitude for practical skills and the ability to cope with the demands of the course.

This course is designed to cover the technical needs for today’s motor vehicle repair industry, including basic processes and principles and foundation skills. It provides essential knowledge for working on vehicles in all types of garages, dealerships and maintenance depots.

It is a learning programme which involves studying both the theory and practical aspects of light vehicles in the following:

• Basic construction and layouts
• Basic front wheel alignment
• Basic testing of vehicle charging systems
• Basic removal and replacement of clutches, exhaust systems, batteries, suspension dampers, braking system components and standard light vehicle tyres

Learners gain a broad knowledge and understanding of health and safety in the workplace and other skills associated with working in a garage. Knowledge is assessed by IMI Awards set practical assessments in our extensive motor vehicle workshop with ‘on-line’ multiple-choice testing.

This is an introductory course and there are no formal entry requirements. An interest in motor vehicles and an aptitude for practical skills with the ability to cope with the demands of the course will be expected. Candidates will be interviewed prior to acceptance.

This qualification covers activities within the motor industry that relate to technicians working on a wide range of vehicles in garages, dealerships and fast fit businesses.

The course covers the basic technical needs for today’s motor industry and can be used as a technical certificate within an appropriate apprenticeship framework. All aspects of health and safety, maintaining positive relationships and good housekeeping are included in the course as well as removing and replacing components from vehicle systems.

This will include:

• Brakes
• Steering
• Suspension
• Vehicle electrics - batteries, starting and charging systems.

Learners gain an understanding of how the above vehicle systems work and be able to identify faulty components. Knowledge is assessed by IMI Awards set practical assessments in our extensive motor vehicle workshop with ‘on-line’ multiple-choice testing.

Entry requirements for this course are a Level 1 qualification, a GCSE Grade D or above in maths or science as well as the aptitude for practical skills and the ability to cope with the demands of the course.

This Level 2 qualification covers the technical needs for today’s motor vehicle repair industry, including the diagnosis of non-complex system faults. It provides essential knowledge for service technicians working on light vehicles (cars and vans) in all types of garages, dealerships and maintenance depots.

The programme involves students studying both the theory and practical aspects of the following:

• Carrying out routine vehicle maintenance
• Removing and replacing engine units and components
• Electrical auxiliary units and components
• Chassis units and components

Learners also gain a broad knowledge and understanding of health and safety in the workplace and other skills associated with working in a garage. Knowledge is assessed by IMI Awards set practical assessments in our extensive motor vehicle workshop with ‘on-line’ multiple-choice testing.

This Level 2 qualification can be used as a technical certificate within an appropriate apprenticeship framework and prepares technicians for ATA assessment at Service Maintenance Technician level.

Entry requirements for this course are a Level 1 motor vehicle qualification, three GCSE’s Grade D or above including maths and science as well as the aptitude for practical skills and the ability to cope

This course is designed to provide the background knowledge and practical experience required within the boatbuilding and marine leisure industry.

Students work towards the City and Guilds 2451 Boat Construction, Maintenance and Support and EMTA EAL Performing Engineering Operations qualifications.

These qualifications can be used within an appropriate apprenticeship framework. Units include:

• Developing self and working safely in a marine environment
• Marine technology

Optional units:

• Yacht and boat building assembly and sub-assembly
• Production of hulls and decks and structural components
• Installation and fitting out of boats

Health and safety, engineering drawing and lofting skills are also covered. Successful completion provides a broad knowledge of the required skills to progress in to industry or on to the next level of this course.

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at grade D or above or an appropriate qualification at Level 1 and an interview. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for wood and boat craft skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course.

This course is aimed at students who are employed or intend to gain employment in a boatyard or within the marine leisure industry. This technical certificate can be used within an appropriate advanced apprenticeship framework.

Units include:

• Safe and effective working in a boatbuilding, repair and service environment
• Boatbuilding repair and service materials technology

Optional units:

• Production and finishing of hulls and decks
• Producing and fitting structural components

Health and safety, engineering drawing and lofting skills are also covered.

Entry requirements are a Level 2 boatbuilding qualification plus the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course. Mature students with prior experience within the industry will be considered.

The course is designed for new entrants preparing to progress in to a career in Electrical Engineering or Maintenance. The course is a broad based work-related programme which will give an understanding of electrical technology as well as an insight in to other areas of engineering.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Working safely in an engineering environment
• Electrical installation
• Electrical maintenance
• Rotating machinery
• Sheet metal work
• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
• Centre lathe turning

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at grade D or above or an appropriate qualification at Level 1 and an interview. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for Electrical Craft Skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course.

The course will lead to the EAL Level 2 qualification Performing Engineering Operations as well as the City and Guilds 2330 Certificate in Electro Technical Technology. These qualifications allow students to progress on to an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3 on gaining employment or on to the Engineering Operations and Maintenance National Diploma course at Level 3.

This course is designed to equip individuals with the practical skills, knowledge and understanding required for a range of operations and maintenance occupations or further study at higher education level.

The course consists of 18 units which include:

• Electrical and electronic principles
• Electronic measurement and testing
• Mechanical principles
• Operation and maintenance procedures and techniques
• Mathematics for technicians
• Electro, Pneumatic and hydraulic systems and devices

Entry requirements for this course are four GCSE qualifications at Grade C or above (Including maths and science). This course can provide the entry requirements for Higher Education or university courses such as the Foundation degree in Operations Engineering.

The course is designed for new entrants preparing to progress into a career in Mechanical Engineering and allied industries. The course is a broad-based work-related programme which will give an understanding of machining and bench fitting practices.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Working safely in an engineering environment
• Working efficiently and effectively in Engineering
• Centre lathe turning
• Milling
• Bench fitting
• Using and communicating technical information

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at Grade D or above or an appropriate qualification at Level 1 and an interview. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for Engineering craft skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course.

The course will lead to the EAL Level 2 qualification Performing Engineering Operations as well as the City and Guilds 2800 Certificate in Engineering. These qualifications allow students to progress on to an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3 on gaining employment or on to the Engineering Operations and Maintenance National Diploma at Level 3.

This course is designed as a progression route for students completing the Level 1 Certificate course. It builds on the techniques and skills already learnt and includes new welding processes at Level 2.

Additional maths qualifications are added to prepare students wishing to progress on to the Level 2 Certificate course in the next year or full time employment within the industry.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Health and Safety
• Welding
• Application of number (maths)

This course is designed to provide opportunities for students not yet in employment to develop their knowledge and understanding, and gain practical welding and fabrication skills. It includes some study of craft principles and is largely practical in nature, the elements of the course being designed to provide a general understanding of welding, fabrication and sheetmetal work.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Working safely in an engineering environment
• Welding techniques
• Fabrication and sheetmetal work
• Engineering drawing

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at grade E or above. An aptitude for welding and fabrication crafts skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course will be expected and candidates will be interviewed prior to acceptance. Students may progress on to the Welding and Fabrication Skills Level 2 award course for a further 15 weeks.

The course is designed for new entrants preparing to progress into a career in welding, fabrication and allied industries. The course is a broad-based work related programme, which will give an understanding of basic welding and fabrication principles and practices.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Working safely in an engineering environment
• Working efficiently and effectively in Engineering
• Producing sheet metal components and assemblies
• Producing plate-work components
• Using and communicating technical information
• Welding

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at Grade D or above, or an appropriate qualification at Level 1 and an interview. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for welding and fabrication craft skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course.

The course will lead to the EAL Level 2 qualification Performing Engineering Operations which satisfies the initial stage of training required to progress on to an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3 or gaining employment. Additional qualifications in welding.