Leyland Trucks supports students with donation

Leyland Trucks has donated engines, components and equipment to Preston’s College to help apprentices and students gain hands on engineering experience.

The donation of the prototype LF DAF Truck has been made to teach those studying Engineering and Automotive disciplines how to disassemble, then reassemble truck components that are recognised and used the world over.

It is the second donation of its kind by the Lancashire firm, which previously gifted a DAF CF vehicle to the college and sponsored the Electrical & Electronics area of its iSTEM Centre which opened in 2015.

Mark Knight, head of school for Science, Engineering & Automotive Technologies at Preston’s College, said: “Leyland Trucks really flies the flag for the positives of the apprenticeship route. 

“It should also be recognised for crafting excellent routes for female apprentices. Leyland Trucks’ work in this field is seeing the numbers of female entrants at the college rise steadily every year, which we’re thrilled to see."

The Leyland Trucks apprenticeship programme is oversubscribed every year. 

James Jepson, HR and training manager at Leyland Trucks, added: “Supplying components, expertise, and working trucks to the college not only benefits our own apprentices, but also those from other local employers studying a wide range of engineering and production-related courses. Through working closely with the college, we are able to help shape the careers of future engineers and designers.”

Through working closely with the college, we are able to help shape the careers of future engineers and designers.

Students at Preston’s College take part in the Student Innovation Challenge, an annual project held between Leyland Trucks and Preston’s College where they solve a real-life industry problem with an innovative solution. 

James added: “Undertaking real-life projects enables students to put into practice the skills which they have learnt in college and apply them in the business world, thoroughly investigating an issue and developing innovative solutions. The benefit that both the students and ourselves gain from initiatives such as this are significant.”

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