A state-of-the-art campus designed to train the next generation of automotive professionals has been opened at West Nottinghamshire College.
Located on Julius Way, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, the new Station Park Motor Vehicle Centre will support around 250 full-time learners and 50 apprentices, offering courses from Level 1 through to Level 3, alongside apprenticeship training and end-point assessment (EPA) preparation.
The centre features a large, modern workshop with increased capacity for vehicles, giving students significantly more hands-on experience in a realistic garage environment. In addition, the site includes specialist classrooms equipped with advanced electric and hybrid vehicle training technology, ensuring learners are prepared for the future of the automotive industry.
A standout feature of the campus is its investment in LJ Create training boards. The centre houses 12 fully-operational simulation boards – six hybrid and six electric – each costing around £6,500. These boards replicate real vehicle systems, allowing tutors to introduce faults that students must diagnose, repair and return to full working order. This two-stage fault-finding process mirrors real-world scenarios and provides a safe, controlled environment for developing high-level diagnostic skills.
A key feature of the campus is the soon-to-launch Auto Centre Learning Company, which will provide servicing, maintenance, and pre-MOT inspections for staff vehicles. This initiative will give students valuable real-world experience while working with customers and live vehicles.
Head of automotive Pete Brochocki welcomed the opening, highlighting the impact of the new facilities. He said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the new centre. The expanded workshop space, cutting-edge equipment and dedicated training environments mean our students can develop their skills in a setting that truly reflects modern industry.
“Our LJ Create training boards are a fantastic addition – they simulate fully-operational vehicles and allow us to introduce faults for learners to diagnose and repair. This kind of hands-on, scenario-based training is exactly what the industry demands.
“Then with the new Auto Centre learning company and EPA provision, we’re preparing learners for real working conditions and giving them the confidence and competence to succeed in the automotive sector.”
The centre is also playing a key role in apprenticeship success, having recently achieved a 100% pass rate in both Level 2 and Level 3 end-point assessments, reflecting the strength of its training and industry preparation.
Students have already praised the new campus for its improved space and advanced equipment.
Cian Pratt, a Level 3 student who previously studied at the college’s Oddicroft Lane site, said: “The biggest thing is the space – it’s not cramped anymore and there are a lot more cars to work on. The new equipment makes a huge difference to how we learn week in, week out.”
Pierce Butler, also studying Level 3 Diagnostics and Repair, added: “These facilities really reflect what it’s like in a real garage – if anything, they’re even better. The equipment is more sophisticated, which makes it easier to learn. The diagnostic boards help you understand faults much more clearly than working straight on an engine.”
With dedicated parking, a growing fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles, and future plans to expand employer training and reception facilities, Station Park represents a major investment in automotive education in the region.
The new centre positions the college at the forefront of technical training, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving automotive industry.