Project Description
Pupils experience life in the fast lane at Knockhill Racing Circuit
Pupil Support Service (PSS) has some senior pupils interested in mechanics, so we asked Knockhill Racing Circuit if it would be possible to come for a workplace visit. They happily agreed to let us come to visit their mechanics and show us around the workshop to see what they do and how they work. They could not have been more helpful.
The aim of this visit was to show our learners what it is like to work in a garage/with cars/motors and for them to learn about the different ways of becoming a mechanic.
Knockhill Racing Circuit has previously supported PSS and we have visited their mechanics before. These visits are always very popular with our pupils as the staff are able to explain their roles and responsibilities in a way that is engaging to the young people.
The value to our pupils is significant. Most of the PSS pupils have not yet turned 16 and it is difficult to find work placements/inspiration in this industry due to health and safety.
As PSS pupils attend part-time, Knockhill agreed to do two sessions. One AM and one PM to cover both groups.
We were introduced to the mechanics who explained to us what they did on a daily basis and how they got into the profession in the first place. It was interesting to hear about their diverse educational journey’s into the job role.
They then showed our young people the workshop and the cars they were working on. Our pupils looked at the tools used and took part in a Q&A session.
The pupils were lucky enough to get to sit in the cars, something they really enjoyed.
It was ‘Track Day’ at Knockhill on the day of the visit, so the pupils got a chance to experience a live motorcycle race as an extra experience!