College learners enjoy tour of Porsche showroom

Preston’s College HNC Construction learners enjoyed an exclusive behind the scenes tour of a major new automotive retail development in the city.

Warden Construction and Bowker Motor Group, who will operate the Preston Porsche franchise, invited 12 students to find out more about the multi-million pound development on Watery Lane in Preston.

Warden Construction’s managing director, Richard Kenworthy, said: “The visit was a great opportunity to provide students with an example of a live construction site.

“We provide learners with a tour of the site and provided them with an opportunity to talk at length with our experienced site managers.”

Mark Taylor, Head of School for Construction at Preston’s College, added: “Providing an opportunity to experience a live construction site will help to make our learners the most employable.

“Equally, the experience will help learners to relate the theory developed in the classroom directly into the work environment.

“We would like to extend our thanks to Warden Construction and Bowker Motor Group for the tour.”

The site tour was hosted by Warden site manager Elliot Atherton. Elliot has eight years’ experience in the construction sector with full and part time education playing a key role in his rise up the ladder.  He started out as a joinery apprentice before progressing onto Warden’s Management Training Scheme gaining his HNC in Construction. Elliot is currently undertaking his NVQ Level Six Site Management.

Warden Construction, Managing Dicrector, Richard Kenworthy added: “Elliot is a great example of how education can impact on the success of a career. The construction industry in the UK needs to invest in education to help bridge the skills gap. The Preston’s College student visit was a wonderful way to promote and encourage construction to the next generation right here in Lancashire.”

The new Porsche Centre Preston will open in Spring 2019. It will feature a 35-car showroom and a 13-bay workshop. There will be two customer handover bays; two direct dialogue bays which enable service advisors to demonstrate scope of technical work from every perspective; and, also EV charging points with DC charge.

Porsche Centre Preston will become the eighth member of the Bowker Motor Group portfolio, which includes Bowker BMW and MINI in Blackburn and Preston; Bowker Ribble Valley in Osbaldeston; and Bowker Harley-Davidson and Motorrad in Preston.