PROSPECTIVE students, representatives of the motor industry and members of the public are invited to the Motor Vehicle and Motorsport Open Day at the College of West Anglia’s Isle campus on Saturday.

There will be a range of demonstrations, and car enthusiasts will have the chance to take part in a number of interactive displays.

Course director and lecturer Bob Whally said: “There will be lots going on, with about 10 different companies putting on demonstrations. This is not just for the public but for the trade, we want to raise public awareness about what our students do.”

Mr Whally says his department wants to build greater ties with industry. “I am going to body shops in the area to see if there is anything else they want us to teach,” he said. “We want to ensure that all our student are employable.”

Interactive activities throughout the day include a rolling road, and a racing car simulator built by the college’s apprentices and students.

Courses on offer at the campus include IMI levels 1 and 2 in light vehicle service and repair, and IMI levels 2 and 3 in paint and bodywork. Students can also study for a BTEC subsidiary diploma in vehicle technology and in motorsport level 3, as well as a BTEC level 4 HNC in automotive engineering.

Some of the students who recently left the college are now working for McLaren, and Radical Sportscars, as well as main dealerships.

Bob said: “This used to be a dirty greasy job, but now it is a technical subject to get involved in, the students have to put a lot of effort in.”

The open day runs from 10am until 4pm.