Cornwall’s first and only MOT testing qualification reached pole position after employers booked up all the initial dates within days of launch.

Truro and Penwith College’s Future Skills Institute recently received approval from the Skills Education Group to run and assess professionals on its new Level 2 Award in MOT Testing (Classes 4 and 7).

The new qualification provides an option for Cornish employers who have been forced to send staff on an up to 200-mile round-trip to South Devon College to access their nearest training and assessment centre.

February’s first two start dates for the five-day training sold out within days of launch.

A third date has now been added on February 27 with the training set to run monthly thereafter.

Developed in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) the qualification provides learners with the knowledge and skills required to perform MOT tests.

The course is suitable for qualified motor vehicle engineers with no previous experience in MOT testing, and annual reassessments required by the DVSA for qualified MOT testers also available.

The College has continued its focus on future-ready qualifications, offering all employers the option to bolt-on an additional Level 1 electric vehicle qualification at no additional cost.

Learners train in the new £7 million Valency building and state-of-the-art electric vehicle labs.

The new MOT testing award joins the college’s suite of motor vehicle training which includes the MOT accredited technician course, advanced driver assistant systems training and range of apprenticeships from levels 2-3.

Kristan Langton, service manager at Dales Cornwall Ltd, said: “Currently, to train new MOT testers we have to send them to Exeter or beyond which can be a hassle and off putting.

“To have a local training provider makes it so much easier and encouraging, which is great for our business and for the continued development of our team.”

Nick Tillyer, Institute of Technology development leader at Truro and Penwith College said: “The lack of a local MOT training and assessment centre put Cornwall’s motor vehicle employers at a significant disadvantage.

“It’s fantastic to have launched this qualification in support of local industry.”

Details are at www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/business-professional, call 01872 308000 or email [email protected]