A COLLEGE is ow able to offer apprenticeships in heavy vehicle trailer repairs thanks to a distribution firm's support.

Middlesbrough College says AV Dawson has donated a £10,000 trailer for students to learn about fitting and maintenance.

Steven Ankers, the college’s director of construction, engineering and advanced manufacturing, said the gesture proves how the institution is forging closer links with employers.

He said: “This is a very generous donation; the company has cut down the trailer from 45ft to 15ft to fit our facilities and overhauled and painted it.

“AV Dawson has also called in the support of some of its local suppliers to provide the braking system, electrical system and mudwings, and its team fitted and tested everything, so it operates just like a full-size trailer.”

Maurice Dawson, chairman at AV Dawson, which operates a sprawling site next to the River Tees, said he decided to make the donation after being impressed with the college’s £20m science, technology, engineering and maths centre, where the trailer is housed.

He added: “This is a trailer we would otherwise have exported for sale, but we’re delighted to donate it to the college.

“It means the students can go beyond theory and do everything from testing the brakes and electrics to replacing the wheels.”

Zoe Lewis, college principal and chief executive, thanked AV Dawson.

She added: “We work hard to develop and maintain strong industry links and we truly appreciate AV Dawson’s input.”

Founded by Vernie and Eleanor Dawson in 1938 with £50 for horse Dina, her shoes and a cart to deliver coal, AV Dawson last year opened a £6.5m, 102,000sq ft shed capable of handling hundreds of thousands of tonnes of steel coil for the car industry.

Linked to its rail network, bosses believe the site is the first of its type in the UK.

The company has also built a £3.4m deepwater quay to welcome larger vessels, and set up a £2.6m rail terminal linked to the East Coast Main Line.

It was honoured for its automotive distribution centre at last week’s Freight Industry Times Awards.