By Matthew Legg Business editor

Last updated at 16:26, Friday, 10 February 2012

School pupils got a glimpse of the high octane careers available in motorsport at an event to celebrate Apprenticeship Week.

M-Sport, the Cumbrian firm that runs Ford’s World Rally Team, gave year 11 students at Caldew School, Dalston, an insight into life at its headquarters at Dovenby, near Cockermouth.

The event was run in conjunction with System Training, which runs apprenticeships in motor mechanics at its base at Carlisle Airport.

The star of the show though was a Ford Fiesta MS1 rally car. It was designed and built by M-Sport’s world class engineering team, who develop and prepare some of the most technologically-advanced rally cars in the world.

John Steele, M-Sport sales director, said: “M-Sport is well known for having some of the best technicians and mechanics in the world and many of those people are local to Cumbria.

“We recognise the wealth of talent the area has and it’s great that we can help promote apprenticeships in this way to ensure the continued stream of skilled young people to the motoring industry.”

System Training gave Caldew students an idea of the opportunities it offers for aspiring young mechanics through its vocational training and its close links with local garages and body shops.

Dave Walker, System Training’s motor vehicle manager, told The Cumberland News: “As part of our continued engagement with students and employers, we thought this was a great opportunity to spread the word about apprenticeships with System Training and the career opportunities available in the motor sector.

“The ability to earn and learn is helping to make apprenticeships more attractive and our new training workshops allow us to deliver the full range of skills demanded by employers.”

Chris Quinn, assistant head at Caldew School, said: “Opportunities like this give pupils the chance to talk through the career options available so they can make more informed decisions.”

First published at 14:08, Friday, 10 February 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk