Case Study
Belfast Met Mechanics Ramp up their Skills for Circuit of Ireland
Circuit of Ireland organisers and Belfast Metropolitan College joined forces in a new partnership which offered motor vehicle students the opportunity to be ‘Associate Scrutineers’ and ‘Assistant Mechanics’ at this year’s Circuit of Ireland Rally.
Belfast Met’s Millfield Campus played host to the Circuit’s Scrutineering base, giving the opportunity for up to 20 students from the college’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Vehicle Technology and Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance to assist a highly experienced Circuit of Ireland team of scrutineers headed up by George Kennedy and his deputy Gillian Magee. A number of students also worked alongside rally teams at the event’s Titanic Quarter based Service Park.
Brian George, Head of School for Engineering and Construction, explained the range of roles the students would be taking on:
“Our motor vehicle students will help established scrutineers carry out a full range of vehicle tests including weighing cars, noise testing, marshalling and coordinating and monitoring driver clothing and equipment. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain real life experience which will enhance their future career opportunities. This is a unique and hugely exciting opportunity and Belfast Met would like to thank the Circuit of Ireland organisers for their support in this forward thinking and practically focussed partnership which will benefit both the organisation and our Belfast Met students.
“Our talented student teams are very much looking forward to working on state of the art rally cars from all over the world and meeting competitors and their team management who are at the very top of their sport. An integral element of our Extended Diploma in Vehicle Technology is attendance at motorsport events and this is a great chance to integrate practical hands-on training which will count towards students final diplomas. ”
Circuit of Ireland Event Director Bobby Willis said he was delighted to help facilitate this important new student training initiative:
“The Circuit of Ireland is utilising a number of locations in Belfast including Titanic Quarter for Rally HQ and Service Park and Belfast City Centre which will feature Thursday evening’s Ceremonial Start. We’re delighted to set up our scrutineering hub at Belfast Met’s Millfield Campus. The College’s vehicle workshop offers excellent facilities in a central location and the Circuit’s scrutineering team are looking forward to working alongside our student ‘associate scrutineers’ and ‘assistant mechanics.’ I believe this partnership is a first for any European Rally Championship event this year and the Circuit is delighted to be leading the way in community and educational partnerships.“