Automotive students win career jumpstart with innovative invention

A pair of automotive students have earned a career jumpstart after impressing competition judges with an innovative invention.

Gateshead College studens, Sean Patton and Orin Rowe took first place in an automative design competition.

The two 18-year-olds impressed judges at Morpeth-based Gott Technical Services to win work placements with the company.

The maintenance equipment supplier set the competition last September for pairs of students at Gateshead College’s Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics.

To enter, students were asked to design a piece of garage equipment that would facilitate the work that garage owners and technicians carry out on a day-to-day basis.

Sean and Orin, who are currently enrolled on the Level 2 body repair and paint refinishing course, teamed up to design the ‘magni-mate’ – a magnetic tool holder invention that would help to avoid tools getting lost or misplaced in the workshop.

Orin said: “I was shocked that there wasn’t already something like our product in the marketplace as it’s so simple but effective.

“I don’t just see it as relevant for car workshops but for manufacturing and other types of workshops – a multi-industry design.

“We were over the moon when we found out we had won and are really looking forward to the placements.

“The activities we will be taking on, especially those in cosmetic repair, will help us to extend the skills we are currently building in college.

“It’s also a great opportunity to get our foot in the door with local dealerships.”

After being crowned winners, the pair have been given the opportunity to spend time on placement with both Gott Technical Services and Benfield Motor Group to gain real industry experience.

Gott Technical Services director Ian Gott said: “It was very apparent that the top three pairs of students had really put thought into their idea and explored it as though it would be realised as a manufactured product.

“Sean and Orin’s design is a thoroughly viable concept and I could see the value that it would bring to a garage environment.

“I hope that all of the students found taking part in the project enjoyable and informative.

“I think that it is beneficial to those in education to be set real industry objectives in order to encourage them to think forward to their future career.

“Sean and Orin’s placement will provide them with an invaluable insight into a professional workplace and the diverse range of tasks encountered on a day-to-day basis.

“I feel that it is important to bridge the gap on gaining a qualification to applying those skills in practical situations.”

The competition was open to students on motor vehicle mechanic, body repair and paint, welding and engineering courses at the specialist training department of Gateshead College.

Sean and Orin will take up their placements throughout April and May 2013.

Runners up Jason O’Neil and Josh Anderson and Jack Lowes and Mitchell Shalgosky each received Halfords vouchers for their entries.

Gateshead College tutor Richard Winship said: “This competition is a great example of the type of learning we offer at the college and what makes us stand out – valuable industry links that offer the chance to get real work experience that will ultimately ensure our students have a better chance of getting a job once they complete the course.”

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