Non-apprentice courses
Level 2 College Diplomas in Classic Vehicle Restoration plus details of Short Courses.
Want to get a Level 2 qualification in Heritage Engineering to start your career? Then read on to see details of vehicle restoration courses and qualifications you can achieve.
Want some fun learning more about maintaining your classic car? Have a look through the classic car restoration and maintenance short courses below...
Diploma Courses in Classic Vehicle Restoration.
The following providers run full-time college courses to help learners achieve Level 2 NVQ qualifications in Classic Vehicle Restoration.
From there, learners can progress to employment in the vehicle restoration industry or can embark on an apprenticeship with an employer.
The NVQs were developed by the Institute for the Motor Industry (I.M.I.) in collaboration with The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (F.B.H.V.C.).
Level 2 Classic Car Restoration
Openshaw Campus, Manchester M11 2WH
Full-time Diploma
Do you love classic cars? Do you want to start a career in classic vehicle restoration?
If so, our Level 2 Diploma in Classic Vehicle Restoration is perfect for you!
This qualification will help you develop the skills and knowledge required to work in the classic vehicle restoration industry with a range of units including the history and heritage of classic vehicles, fabrication, repair and renovation of light vehicles, and knowledge and skills in body, paint and trim.
Developed by the IMI in conjunction with the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, employers, training providers and the IMI Sector Skills Council, the qualification provides an ideal step to the Vocational Competence Qualification (VCQ) for those who are employed in the industry, and wish to continue their studies, as the knowledge at Level 2 meets that of the related VCQ.
Level 2 Classic Car Restoration
Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 6BH
1 Year Full Time Diploma
This qualification is designed for individuals who are interested in the classic vehicle restoration industry. On completion, technicians will be able to practically demonstrate that they have the skills required to access work in the classic vehicle restoration industry and the knowledge required to support these skills.
This qualification has been developed by The IMI in conjunction with the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, employers, training providers and the IMI Sector Skills Council.
Entry Requirements:
Entry requirements are 4 GCSE at Grade 3(D) or above, including English and Maths or progression from Level 1 or a relevant Level 1 qualification.
Short Courses & Learning for Leisure
Basic Car Maintenance for Enthusiasts
Bedford, Herts. MK44 2BZ
1-day & 2-day workshops.
We offer a range of courses to suit professionals and amateurs working on classic and modern vehicles.
The course are delivered at our bespoke vehicle workshop, taught by people who use these skills on a daily basis, building amazing vehicles. So you know you are learning from the best, with practical real world skills.
Class sizes are limited so that everyone benefits from individual attention and practical experience on the test cars and components.
Care for Your Classics - Electrical Basics
Bicester Heritage, OX27 8AL
Short Course
Classic Car - Basic Electrical Course
In this beginners guide to basic electrical repairs and maintenance, you will cover the core requirements when dealing with classic car problems. In this one day course you will cover;
Use a multimeter effectively.
Carry out wiring repairs.
Make a lighting circuit.
Diagnose basic electrical faults.
Repair electrical connections.
Diagnose charging faults.
Care for your Classics Course
Bicester Heritage, Oxon. OX26 5HA
2-day weekend
This 2-day weekend course is ideal for those with some knowledge of their vehicle components and inspection standards who want to build their confidence and experience.
Taught by the same experts that deliver Britain's best-established apprentice training school located within the incomparable Bicester Heritage campus.
Essential maintenance, keeping your classic in good condition and prevent premature wear and cost. Learning what needs to be checked and replenished. How to check, how often to check and how to replenish. Did you know brake fluid and antifreeze age? If left the brakes may let you down or the antifreeze may cause engine damage!
• Oil and filter change. Using the right oil and filter types.• Coolant. types of antifreeze. Drain and refill. Confirming thermostat operation.• Brake fluid level check. Understand hygroscopic.• Gear box oil level check, and types of oil.• Differential oil level check and types of oil.• Spark plugs removal and replacement. Checking the gap and cleaning.• Plug leads checking and what to do if you forget the firing order!• Contact breaker cleaning and replacing. Setting the gap. • Checking the ignition timing• Pushrod engine valve clearance check and adjust• Distributor cap and rotor arm checking and inspecting. Looking for track lines, testing the rotor arm.• Brakes remove and refit brake pads and brake shoes. • Inline fuel filter fitting and replacement.• Checking choke and throttle operation• Adjusting idle speed.
Classic Car Restoration (C)
Deane Road Campus, Bolton
12 week short course
This course aims to enable you to use techniques associated with vehicle repairs and restoration so that you can carry out repairs or replacements on your own vehicle.
· General Workshop Health & Safety
· Marking out - Cutting & Forming Sheet Steel
· MIG Welding - Oxy Acetylene Welding - Brazing/Bronze Welding
· Panel Repair Including: Panel Beating/Heat Shrinking/Use of Fillers/Lead Loading
· Spray Bake Oven Facilities
Starts on 22 March 2023
Wednesday : 18:30 - 20:30
Classic and Historic Vehicle Body Restoration - Stage 1 - Foundation
Brooklands, Surrey KT13 0SL
Short Courses
Three-day course covering the fundamental principles of vehicle panelwork giving you the techniques and confidence to tackle repair work and form double-curvature panels.
You will learn to : –
Shape double-curvature panel using a mallet and block
Smooth double curvature panel using hammer and dolly
Refine shape and smooth panels using the wheeling machine
Flange & wire edges of panels
Butt-weld steel sheet, without filler rod, using a TIG welder
MIG and resistance spot weld
Anneal and weld aluminium alloy sheet
English wheeling courses with one-to-one expert tuition
Taunton Somerset TA4 4AW
1 day and 3 day short courses
Our English Wheeling courses are designed to give you the confidence to go away and use one on your own – or allow you to see how an English Wheel works and how you get on with it. Whilst practice makes perfect, when it comes to learning traditional skills, like craft panel beating, it is far better to be shown how to do it – with guidance and encouragement – rather than attempting to learn from a book or a YouTube video.
Whether you’re a professional, an enthusiast or a complete beginner, we work in small groups with no more than 3 people at a time, giving you the space and attention that you need to learn at your own pace, as you develop a clear understanding of the many different processes involved in vehicle restoration and metal panel creation.
Intensive Classic Car Restoration 3-day course
Brooklands Museum, Surrey KT13 0SL
3-day intensive course.
Learn all the skills required to have the confidence to take on your own classic car body repairs.
Brooklands museum - The Flight Shed
Course Aim:
Learn all the skills required to have the confidence to take on your own classic car body repairs. With small group size we hope to be able to offer a tailored course led by our experienced team.
Intensive course content:
1. Fabrication of a Headlamp Panel
2. M.I.G/M.A.G Welding
3. Setting up the Spot welder.
4. Fabricate a Sill section
5. Metal finishing dents
"Excellent course and Andy has been a brilliant tutor. I am leaving the course with newfound skill and confidence to attempt things I never thought I would be able to do myself."
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the course and valued greatly the information and knowledge imparted to us by Andy Kelly who has years of experience in this field. It has given me the confidence and skills to tackle tasks that I would have paid others to complete in the past. I have also learnt about new technologies of which I was unaware and the best techniques to achieve good results"
Heritage Steam & Rail
Traineeships and Short Courses
Boiler & Engineering Skills Training Trust
BESTT is a partnership of steam heritage organisations representing railways, ships and traction engines and has developed a range of training courses on boiler repair, maintenance and the mechanical overhaul of steam engines.
In addition to short courses, the BESTT one year Mechanical Repair traineeship course, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund gives young people a 12 month intensive training in heritage engineering including paid placements at relevant employers and learning modules at Keighley and York colleges.
Boiler Washout & Examination short course
Various locations.
Short Course.
This course is suitable for novices and candidates with no previous practical washout and inspection experience. Topics covered includes removal of plugs and doors, inspection and boxing up, including practical tests.
All techniques are cross referenced to BESTT module RHG1 and BCoP guidance note HGR-B9155.
Riveting short course
Various locations.
Short Course.
Riveting is a core skill in steam boiler repair. There is a shortage of skilled riveters and an increasing requirement for locomotive and repair workshops to be able to demonstrate that they have people with the right skills.
The Riveter Qualification Course, based on the BESTT syllabus and Heritage Railway Association Boiler Code of Practice covers types of rivet, rivet holes, rivet heads, length calculation, heating rivets, hydraulic riveting, safety, use of pneumatic tools and other aspects.
Heritage Marine
ALL COURSES
Apprenticeship in Marine Engineering
Harkers Yard, Brightlingsea, Essex
24 months full time
You will work alongside shipwrights to learn and develop woodwork skills. Whilst most of the projects in the yard are centred on traditional wooden boats, apprentices are also given the opportunity to work using modern techniques, which equips you with relevant skills needed for employment in the modern marine industries.
You will work towards the Apprenticeship in Marine Engineering, comprising of a NVQ level 3 qualification in Marine Engineering and City and Guilds 2451 course in yacht building and repairs.
The apprenticeship programme lasts approximately 24 months and provides you with the valuable knowledge needed to carry out safe practices at work, understand the marine industry and ultimately make you more employable.
You are also encouraged to sail aboard Pioneer in the summer. Sailing is a valuable experience and will definitely ignite a passion in you for boats and the water.
Through the combined experience of boat work, theory and sailing, Pioneer gives learners an enriched and unique experience, which you can take with you into the next steps in your life.
Historic Vessel Conservation
Distance Learning.
Distance Learning - min 6 months, max 3 years
National Historic Ships UK are pleased to offer a qualification in Historic Vessel Conservation. This course is unique in addressing the specialist knowledge needed to understand a historic vessel project. It establishes a national standard, ensuring that conservation work being carried out on these craft follows recognised guidelines.
During the course you will gain a real understanding of different approaches, terminology, standards and outcomes and put these into practise.
