the good training facilities
New training Vehicles
LTS rolled out the newest members of the training vehicle fleet at the start of the summer period. The old 3 series Scania tractor units were starting look well beyond their years and we thought it was time for an upgrade. We have changed to the 'R' series tractor units, which so far have received good feedback from trainees. They are a much better looking wagon and more enjoyable to drive. They have been lovingly prepared by David Gardner, the LTS workshop technician. He has overseen every step of the preparation to ensure the vehicles were ready and looking fine for the first trainee to climb those 3 steps.
Top Apprentices Rewarded!
On Monday 7th November 2011 Lancaster Training Services Ltd held their 19th Annual Awards Evening at their Training Centre in Heysham to mark the achievements of their learners in the automotive and transport industry. Training Manager, Martyn Horabin, presented the awards and Apprenticeship Certificates on the night. He stated, “All our learners and employers should be extremely proud of their achievements and I would like to thank our employers for their valuable continued support over the past 12 months”. As well as receiving a trophy all the award winners received a cash reward for their achievement. Mr Horabin also thanked staff, employers, learners, Lancaster & Morecambe College, Blackpool and The Fylde College and our link schools for helping us to achieve a Grade 2 in our recent OFSTED inspection. The Work Based Training Team is looking to recruit and develop the next cohort of apprentice mechanics, parts people, body repairers, motor vehicle customer service staff and driving goods vehicle apprentices. Any young people considering a career in the industry, or any local employers thinking of taking on an apprentice in any of the above areas should contact the Training Centre for advice.
The Winners
Award |
Name |
Best Overall 1 st Year Trainee |
Josh Smith |
1 st year runner up |
Keiran Rodwell |
Best Overall 2 nd Year Trainee |
Scott Smith |
2 nd year runner up |
James Retallick |
Most Improved Youth Trainee Over 2 Years |
Jordan Longmire |
Best Level 3 ‘Heavy' Vehicle Trainee |
Robert Lupton |
3 rd year ‘heavy' runner up |
Tim Sutton |
Best Level 3 ‘Light' Vehicle Trainee |
Paul Littlewood |
Best LVBR Trainee Over 2 Years |
Jordan Hartley |
EK Motor Factors LTD Achievement Trophy |
Rebecca Wooff |
Norman Dickinson Award for Endeavour |
Liam Woods |
Morecambe Car Club Ltd Best 1 st Year Young Apprentice |
Jordan Vare |
1 st year YA runner up |
Gino Valente |
Morecambe Car Club Ltd Best 2 nd Year Young Apprentice |
Rebecca Wooff |
2 nd year YA runner up |
Nathan Wren |
Year 1 School Links Shield |
Lucas Benson |
Year 1 School Links runner up |
Jordan Robinson |
Best Overall DGV Trainee |
Nigel Barker |
DGV runner up |
Deborah Halstead |
Royal Stamp of Approval for IMI Awards
Outstanding Achievers
A big well done to Rebecca Wooff, from Main Street garage in Bolton Le Sands. Rebecca has been with Lancaster Training Services for the last two years, taking part on the Young Apprentice programme. The IMI are the awarding body for this programme and each year they host an awards ceremony where all the outstanding young people are recognised. This year Rebecca won the titleof Outstanding Young Student beating approximately 30,000 other candidates from all around the UK.
Your Future, Your Choice
The Globe Arena was the venue for the Your Future, Your Choice event this year. Keith Boak was our representative at the event again and he tells us that the 2 day event was a huge success. Thank you to all that gave Keith some of your time.
irtec 
Congratulations to Gareth Holmes of Lancaster City Council who became the first candidate to pass the irtec Inspection Technician for Large Commercial Vehicles. Gareth attended the Training Centre on 27/05/11 and passed his online assessments and legislative and safety aspects assessment. He returned 2 weeks later and demonstrated competence practically inspecting a Large Commercial Vehicle and answered a series of underpinning knowledge questions on testing using the VOSA HGV Inspection Manual.
What is irtec?
irtec is a renewable and voluntary accreditation scheme that assesses the safety and competence of technicians who maintain and repair vehicles in the commercial vehicle, trailer and passenger carrying industries.
Technicians who take the irtec test are assessed on their theoretical and practical skills and, if successful, are awarded an irtec licence.
An irtec licence certifies the individual, rather than the employer, and can be used to demonstrate a common standard of skills from one company to the next.
How do I get irtec accreditation?
Before you can take an assessment you must be able to prove your experience of working in that sector of the industry. The length of experience required will depend upon the irtec route/level and/or the qualifications you already hold. You may also find that you need training to close any gaps in your skills prior to the assessment
• You must successfully complete all the assessments within a 12 month period from the first assessment date
Contact Lancaster Training Services for more details.
Driving Goods Vehicle Apprenticeships
Lancaster Training Services has been offering the Driving Goods Vehicle (DGV) Apprenticeship for some time now and it really seems to be taking off very well. The DGV apprenticeship is a scheme on which people between the age of 18 and 25 are offered the chance to obtain a licence to drive a vehicle in the category of C1, C and C+E (7.5 tonne, Rigid and Artic) FOR FREE. The candidates aim will be to obtain an NVQ and BTEC in driving goods vehicles and as a bonus they pick up a licence for free along the way. The candidates must already hold a car licence and be in the position of having access to a company vehicle of one of the above categories. This scheme has already proved helpful to many employers and their employees. If you think it could be of help to you or your employer/employee then please contact us on 01524 858326 or email us using the quick contact box on the left <<<<<.
Air Conditioning Qualifications UPDATE!
As of July 4th 2010, all mobile air conditioning (MAC) technicians working with cars and car derived vans, must have achieved as a minimum requirement, a refrigerant handling qualification which fulfils the European Union F Gas Regulation (EC842/2006 and Annex to Regulation EC842/2008).
This is a requirement for ALL technicians. A number of garages have trained one of their technicians to the required standard and gained the necessary qualification. This is then thought to cover the whole establishment and all other technicians within the garage. This is NOT the case! ALL technicians working with MAC systems need their own individual certification.
You are breaking the law if you don't have your own certificate. Individual technicians could receive a fine and the establishment could be issued a prohibition notice.
New Learner Forum is open for use :) FORUM
Please feel free to register on the new forum. The purpose of the forum is to provide all of our learners, (not just the full time apprentices), with the opportunity to share comments, issues or problems. You can contact staff members if you have a problem with your training, assessments, evidence or anything to do with the course you are on or the qualification you are working towards. It is also there for your enjoyment! Catch up with each other when you're not at LTS on day release! Use it as a journal to give feedback on your days training. It's up to you how you want to use it, it's free so why not register ?
