STUDENTS look set to get their motoring skills in gear as part of a new course at Weymouth College.

Some lucky school leavers could get the chance to build and race a sports kit car and gain an NVQ level two qualification.

The course, working with Westfield Sportscars, is aimed to get students revved up about this alternative study which could lead to employment within the motorsport industry.

A total of 14 students, aged between 16 and 18, will have a place on the course to construct two Westfield cars from September. The group will be split into two teams with each team having a team manager, marketing manager and competition secretary.

Each team will be required to join the local car club and undertake an extensive build diary that will be hosted on the college website.

Both cars will be entered into a series of auto-test events around Dorset, with all maintenance and crew work carried out by students. Rex Witts, head of engineering and construction at Weymouth College, launched the course along with his teaching team.

Mr Witts said: “This is a highly desired opportunity for students to build and complete a Westfield whilst learning valuable engineering and organisational skills.

“It also gives students the potential to be involved with the Westfield community and progress into either motorsport or engineering as a career.”

The course offers an NVQ level two diploma in performing engineering operations alongside some smaller qualifications including welding and computer aided design skills.

For those budding car builders who do not have the space or cash to build their own Westfield Sports Kit car, adults will be able to join a leisure class to build a third car on evenings and some Saturdays.

Westfield Sportscars are the UK leading hand-built sports car manufacturers that still is British owned and family run.

For more information contact Rex on rex_witts@ weymouth.ac.uk

Weymouth College said 21 students sat their GCSE maths this year with 62 per cent achieving a grade between A* - C.

All the evening class adults who sat the exam achieved A* - C.

Weymouth College will be doing part-time English and maths GCSE from September onwards which will allow people to retake the exam while studying on a full-time course.