Ford-backed site is training ground for young engineers

Boris Johnson has opened a new technical college in Essex, backed by Ford, and dedicated to students, aged between 14 and 19, who want to study engineering and design.

The London mayor welcomed the opening of Elutec, based in Rainham, which will take students from all over the county.

He said: “As a centre for manufacturing excellence, the new campus promises to be a valuable training ground for the automotive engineers of the future, who are so important to the health of the British economy.

“Great feats of British engineering have helped to shape the modern world in which we live today, and we need to support the young people who will design and construct the huge engineering projects that will define our nation.”

The Ford Motor Company, based in Warley, has made a £322,000 contribution towards the new college and University College London, one of the world’s leading universities, has also provided financial backing Mark Ovenden, chairman and managing director Ford of Britain, confirmed Ford would support the new technical college by helping to fund key facilities, including a digital engineering and robotics laboratory, and an engineering and manufacturing suite.

He added: “Work placements as part of the curriculum mean students will be work ready when their courses finish, in addition to possessing the relevant qualifications to pursue their careers.

For more information, go to www.elutec.co.uk