Posted: 26/10/20
Katie brings a lesson for the ladies
A former West Nottinghamshire College engineering student-turned-tutor is bringing a specialist course for ladies only to its Sutton-in-Ashfield campus.
Katie is ready to welcome her class of ladies to learn more about under the bonnet
The Introduction to Motor Vehicle Maintenance, which starts on Wednesday 11 November, aims to demystify what’s happening under the bonnet and bring confidence in basic vehicle maintenance for ladies only. It will run for four weeks from 6-8pm and for those who are taking this as their first short course, there is no charge.
Led by tutor Katie Rickett, the course, which is for those aged 19 and over, will cover basic service skills, teach ladies how to jack-up the vehicle safely, change tyres and enable them to undertake a brake inspection as well as fluid and light checks.
Katie said: “A lot of women feel a bit nervous when taking their car to the garage so we aim to take that nervousness away. This course will help to increase their knowledge when undertaking on-going maintenance jobs and will build confidence when taking a car to the garage.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve never even looked under a car’s bonnet before, as we start with the absolute basics.”
And Katie has her own inspiring story of how she entered the world of motor vehicle engineering. Following an early career in care work and after the birth of her first baby she decided to step back into education at the age of 24 but wanted to take study that she really enjoyed.
She said: “I’d always loved tinkering with cars with my dad and I thought I’d like to give car maintenance a try with the view I might one day have my own business.”
Katie joined West Nottinghamshire College on the Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance Principles in 2014 and enthusiastically moved on to the Level 3 and then Level 4. It was here she discovered her love of teaching as she progressed through the Level 4 programme and began volunteering at the college to build her experience.
Katie has now been teaching for over two years at the Engineering Innovation Centre, on Oddicroft Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield and says: “I hope this course might inspire ladies to take their interests further in the same way I was inspired.”
The Introduction to Motor Vehicle Maintenance programme runs for eight hours over a four-week period and is completely free for adults if they are unemployed and in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit, or if this is their first adult and community course this academic year.
To find out more about this course and other adult and community programmes call 01623 413602.
