THE number of students being admitted to a college course aimed at providing the motor mechanics of the future is being almost trebled thanks to major investment.

Work has started on the construction of a £741,000 purpose-built teaching block at Abingdon & Witney College's Abingdon campus, in Wootton Road, which will house pupils on the advanced engineering and motor vehicle skills course.

When it opens in September, student numbers will be increased from 132 currently to 344.

It signals a £1.1m investment by the college in the facility which will enable students to gain real experience of how a garage operates, with vehicle work bays and an MoT station.

Michael Chiyasa, head of environment services at the college, said: “The idea is that when they go into the workplace they will be familiar with the equipment they are working with.”