How to generate more interest in Leeds Restoration course?

[rubadubdub]

HI guys I'm new to this forum but have been dabbling with old BMWs and Mk1 golfs for a few years now.

I've decided to take the plunge and do the restoration course at Leeds City college. If you read any of the classic magazines you surely can't have missed it. Briefly for those that haven't heard about it: it's a part time course, Monday to Wednesday during academic term times and lasts a full year. During this time they teach you mechanical skills, metalwork, panel fabrication, bodywork and paint prep. The tutors regularly travel around to shows to promote the course. If you went to the Classic car show in Birmingham last November they were the ones doing the sheet metal work and gas welding demonstrations.

Unfortunately the course did not run this year due to being under subscribed and at present looks like it may not run this coming year either. Being in a position to take 12 months off work or go part time is probably a luxury that many people cannot afford. No doubt the financial crisis has added to this pressure. However, there are still people out there that are interested as in the past the college has been contacted days before a course is due to run requesting places. This is especially frustrating given courses were canceled due to lack of interest, which could have run had people voiced interest sooner.

The reason for this post is two-fold: Firstly, to light a fire underneath underneath anyone who is speculating whether to do the course or not and to register their interest with Michael Coman at Leeds City college (0113 3861950). Secondly, to get your ideas on ways to put the word out and generate more interest. I'm already in the process of writing to the main magazines to hopefully get a line or two in the letters column.

I have an obvious vested interest in getting the course to run however, there are wider issues if the course is canceled two years in a row. All colleges have to demonstrate that the courses they provide are meeting a need and are financially viable. In my local area Coventry City college withdrew the evening welding courses due to lack of interest. If another Leeds restoration course is withdrawn it will become increasingly difficult to justify the full year course long term. This would be a great shame as few places in the UK offer such an opportunity. Speaking to the 2010 graduates at the classic car show the employment records seem very good.

So folks, if you're considering the course, contact the college. The deadline for the college deciding to run the course is some time in June. And if you've got any suggestions please feel free to post them.

[TerryG]

Are you on commission by any chance?

[rich.]

a free subscription for the mag & copys of all the longstone tyres ads?

[rubadubdub]

Are you on commission by any chance?

Man on a mission......... sadly not commission. Although all free subscriptions gratefully received.

I'm hoping to have a change of career. However, having just bought a house and with all my friends getting married and having children it's giving my girlfriend ideas. If I don't do it this year, realistically it's not going to happen for several years as children are rather time consuming from what I've heard.

Hence the decision to try and rally some support for the cause.

Some more info to whet your whistle... One course graduate I spoke to now works restoring rare vintage Italian sports cars and told of another working as a chassis builder for prodrive. That beats working in an office any day. Another chap I spoke to said the experience of people signing up varied from well experienced to the 'downright dangerous to themselves and everyone else in the workshop'. I am sadly probably closer to the latter than the former so don't be put off if you are similar.

[P3steve]

Sorry would love to do something like this but have to live in the real world and pay bills, maybe if it was an evening course?

[OneCarefulOwner]

If it wasn't all the way in Leeds, I'd be interested... It amazes me I can't find a similar course down here!

[Luxobarge]

If it wasn't all the way in Leeds, I'd be interested... It amazes me I can't find a similar course down here!

Completely agree.

But that's because apparently darn sarf we don't care about engineering, there are no industrial skills or interest whatsoever, we are all poncey bankers and never get our hands dirty in case we damage our finely polished fingernails.

Yeah, right.....

[Minxy]

If it wasn't all the way in Leeds, I'd be interested... It amazes me I can't find a similar course down here!

Completely agree.

But that's because apparently darn sarf we don't care about engineering, there are no industrial skills or interest whatsoever, we are all poncey bankers and never get our hands dirty in case we damage our finely polished fingernails.

Yeah, right.....

But everyone who lives in Surrey are wealthy retirees living off investment portfolios ........arn't they

[Luxobarge]

If it wasn't all the way in Leeds, I'd be interested... It amazes me I can't find a similar course down here!

Completely agree.

But that's because apparently darn sarf we don't care about engineering, there are no industrial skills or interest whatsoever, we are all poncey bankers and never get our hands dirty in case we damage our finely polished fingernails.

Yeah, right.....

But everyone who lives in Surrey are wealthy retirees living off investment portfolios ........arn't they

Absolutely - we don't have the slightest interest in cars, we leave that to the chauffeur....

[SEE YA]

Sorry would love to do something like this but have to live in the real world and pay bills, maybe if it was an evening course?

I would love to attend as well, however as above in the real world family to support .

I was able to do a NVQ in Fab/Welding Gas, Mig,Tig in the 90's for a year that has helped alot for my cars etc.




'If you cannot weld better have deep pockets'