A £3.5m training facility has opened in the North-west to address the shortage of skilled workers in the automotive repair and maintenance industry.

Motor Industry Skills Manchester (MISM) has become the region’s first Centre of Vocational Excellence for automotive skills, with the backing of a wide range of companies including Jaguar and Vauxhall. The 2,500sq m facility boasts the latest industry-standard technology from companies such as Blackhawk and DeVilbiss.

As a collaboration between Manchester College of Arts and Technology (ManCAT) and Stockport College of Further and Higher Education, MISM offers Institute of the Motor Industry technical certificates and diplomas in maintenance and repair, body repair, refinishing, auto electrics and electronic systems, alongside NVQ qualification.

Alan Mackrill, the IMI’s director of learning and skills, says: “There is a perception of our industry as dirty and greasy, but this facility means we can get away from that and attract more young people into training provide the industry with the workforce it needs.”