Institution news
The six-strong MTC driving team, plus support staff, recreated scenes from the classic 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job after restoring three original Minis and taking them across Italy on a 16-day road trip.
The event celebrated the 25th year of The Italian Job Mini Car Rally, in which hundreds of Minis drive from Turin to Trento, taking in the testing mountain roads of Piedmont and Trentino, and also experience the famous Monza circuit.
The rally raised over £1500 money for Variety, the charity which aims to improve the quality of life of deprived children.
The team renovated and repaired all three cars themselves to get them roadworthy – naming the cars Mike, Tango and Charlie (M, T and C). Thanks to the team’s excellent preparation, its red 1965 classic Austin Mini scooped the trophy for the best historic model on the trip.
The Institution, a silver sponsor of the rally, joined forces with other supporters of the event, including MTC members Sandvik Coromant, DMG Mori-Seiki, Blaser, Hexagon Metrology and Siemens. Rugby Borough Council provided the team with their initial sponsorship.
The apprentices’ participation in this exciting and demanding project helps them move further towards professional registration with the Institution.
Matthew Foster, a third-year apprentice at the MTC, said: “Participating in the Italian Job has challenged me both as a person and as an engineer. Planning, presentation skills, mechanical skills and most importantly team work are all attributes that I have developed and enhanced during the Italian Job 2014 project. I’ve come away a more skilled engineer; with a lifetime of memories.”
Fourth-year apprentice Georgina Oag added: “Taking part in the rally was a great experience for all concerned. The Minis coped extremely well and had obviously been well prepared by the team. Getting the award for the best historic Mini was the icing on the cake.”
MTC chief executive Dr Clive Hickman said all the participants had risen to a big challenge and done a great job. He said: “This was a great experience for the trainees. They have done exceptionally well, while at the same time developing valuable skills in engineering and problem-solving, not to mention raising money for a deserving charity. They represented the MTC admirably.”
The MTC’s apprenticeship scheme is rapidly gaining recognition and an £18 million Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre, which is being built at its Ansty Park headquarters, will further reinforce this. The new centre will be a flagship facility for an advanced apprenticeship and graduate trainee programme. Trainees will gain experience in the latest technologies and will be able to test and develop their skills in sponsored placements, including the opportunity to get involved in international projects.
The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult which is supported by Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board).
Find out more about the MTC Italian Job. Find out about the benefits of becoming a member of the Institution.