Friday December 13 2024
Swindon & Wiltshire News
One of only 1,000 of BMW’s new electric cars will take centre stage at the launch of Swindon’s University Technical College Swindon at STEAM on Thursday, July 11.
UTC Swindon, which is due to open its doors in September 2014, has teamed up with Swindon-based contract hire and fleet management provider Arval to use the car as part of its summer marketing campaign.
UTC ambassadors will be touring the college catchment area with the event team in the innovative BMW ActiveE, to promote the new college.
They will be calling at Marlborough Jazz Festival from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21, Devizes International Street Festival on Sunday and Monday, August 25 and 26; The Cricklade Show on Saturday, September 16, Wiltshire Game & County Fair on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, and Marlborough Big and Little Mop Fair on Saturdays October 5 and 12.
The BMW ActiveE, leased by Arval, is the first electric car produced by the company. Part of BMW Group’s field trials for long term electric mobility, the ActiveE will inform the development of future electric BMW’s, including the BMW i3 which is scheduled for late 2013.
The car became well known across the UK last year when BMW provided thousands of vehicles, many with green technology, for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Dr Gareth Neighbour, head of Engineering at Oxford Brookes University, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for UTC Swindon to showcase its commitment to engineering and enterprise in education.
“Thanks to Arval, we can share with potential students and their families a wonderful example of cutting edge technology. It will clearly demonstrate the support we are receiving from today’s world leaders in engineering.”
Swindon’s University Technical College will cater for 600 14 to 19 year olds interested in pursuing a career in engineering, promising an opportunity to gain highly desirable skills and raise the aspirations o young engineers in progressing to careers in the engineering industry in all its diverse forms.
Tracey Scarr, CSR manager for Arval, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the team at UTC Swindon as they begin an exciting journey to bring engineering and enterprise to young people.
“We work very closely with all of the vehicle manufacturers to gain access to the latest models and technologies. This fantastic car is just one example of engineering excellence which students locally can enjoy.”
At the open evening at STEAM, staff and directors from the University Technology College will describe this new offer in technical education and how to apply for places. Designs of the state-of-the art buildings will be on display. There will be presentations on details of the curriculum at UTC Swindon and how the courses are linked to the work of local and national engineering employers.
For more information log on to www.utcswindon.co.uk
