College adds hydrogen fuel training to automotive facility

By Tim Aldred

26 Oct 2023

Blackburn College HEAT Hydrogen

Blackburn College has extended the range of its Hybrid Electric Automotive Training (HEAT) facility with the addition of a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) training rig.

HEAT, which opened in November 2022, is a dedicated centre to develop and deliver training to bridge skills gaps and meet the demands of greener vehicle technologies, including hybrid, electric and now hydrogen.

The fully-interactive Toyota Mirai training rig from Block Automotive will give its students – and the region’s wider automotive industry – practical, hands-on experience to further prepare them for the mass roll-out of alternatively fuelled vehicles.

Although the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales in the UK has been extended to 2035, the motor industry is increasing development of alternatively fuelled vehicles to support the need to reduce reliance in fossil fuel.

This additional investment has been funded by the Department for Education Skills Accelerator Development Fund Pilot after the UK government announced a £77m investment in to new zero-emission vehicle projects.

In addition to providing hydrogen training as part of its post-16 existing Levels 1 to 4-course offering, the college will be working closely with the region’s SME garages, mechanics, dealerships, vehicle recovery and emergency services to offer dedicated training on servicing, repairing and importantly, the safety aspects of working with hydrogen vehicles.

Michael Yerbury, advanced automotive technical trainer at HEAT, said: "There is agreement in the industry that hydrogen will play a major role in the decarbonisation of transport. It’s likely that, in the not-so-distant future, drivers will have a choice of battery powered electric vehicles and FCEVs, depending on their needs.

“While some might think this is years away from realisation, we’re seeing a huge push from car manufacturers on their NetZero investments. This also includes hydrogen fuelling stations being installed on some of the UK’s major transport routes.

“But, there’s a huge skills shortage in the industry at the moment, which is why we’re so excited to be at the forefront of this cutting-edge technology as the first Further Education college in the country to offer FCEV training. This latest investment places the College at the forefront of automotive skills in East Lancashire and will not only enable us to give our students the skills they need to take on the jobs of tomorrow, but will help upskill the motor industry as a whole."

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

University-led 4.9 million initiative to turbocharge North West England’s cyber ambitions The data immersion suite at Lancaster University

University-led 4.9 million initiative to turbocharge North West England’s cyber ambitions

20 Nov 2024

2

Staci UK earns Great Place to Work® certification, amid major expansion plans Staci UK Fulfilment teams

Staci UK earns Great Place to Work® certification, amid major expansion plans

20 Nov 2024

3

Harrison Drury merges with specialist Merseyside law firm John Chesworth, Adele Spence, John Osborne

Harrison Drury merges with specialist Merseyside law firm

20 Nov 2024

4

Better transport links are key if Lancashire is to drive up productivity Katie Day strategy director at Transport for the North

Better transport links are key if Lancashire is to drive up productivity

19 Nov 2024

5

Farleys strengthens Private Client Team with Preston appointment Katy Shakeshaft and Victoria Marsh from Farleys

Farleys strengthens Private Client Team with Preston appointment

19 Nov 2024

PC PrestonMacan GIF980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:00 - 16:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
11 Jun 2024 - 04 Dec 2024

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 16:30

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2024 - 17 Dec 2024

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Quiz Returns for 10th Year!
Quiz Pic.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
21 Nov 2024 - 21 Nov 2024

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Quiz Returns for 10th Year!

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

17:00 - 20:30

Emergency First Aid at Work
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Nov 2024

Emergency First Aid at Work

FGH Training, 3rd Floor, Storey House, White Cross Business Park, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

09:00 - 05:00

SPARK The Apprenticeship Marketplace
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
21 Nov 2024 - 21 Nov 2024

SPARK The Apprenticeship Marketplace

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 13:00

NLP Diploma Foundations
nlp nov 24.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Nov 2024 - 24 Nov 2024

NLP Diploma Foundations

Unlocking Possibilities training venue, 166 Waterloo Road , Blackpool, FY4 2AF

09:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Business Day 2024
231124LBVLancashireDayEventweb 5782
Networking
22 Nov 2024

Lancashire Business Day 2024

Blackburn Rovers Football Club, Blackburn, BB2 4JF

12:00 - 17:00

CQI and IRCA Lead Auditor Training Course ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems (QMS) - REMOTE
IRCA-Certified-Course.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Webinar
25 Nov 2024 - 29 Nov 2024

CQI and IRCA Lead Auditor Training Course ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems (QMS) - REMOTE

Via MS Teams Link - RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY4 2DP

09:00 - 17:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up
Freelancer-Meet-Up-Nov.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
26 Nov 2024 - 26 Nov 2024

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking
Chamber Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
27 Nov 2024 - 27 Nov 2024

Chamber Breakfast Networking

Lancaster Golf Club, Ashton Hall, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

08:00 - 10:00

Kickstart Networking - End of Year Celebration
Gold White Simple Christmas Party Instagram Post (Square).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Nov 2024

Kickstart Networking - End of Year Celebration

Esc CC, Clitheroe, BB7 2DA

17:00 - 21:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin