Macclesfield College has been shortlisted at the prestigious IMI Annual Dinner and Awards 2026, recognising the College’s impact on the future of automotive skills training and its commitment to developing the next generation of skilled technicians.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Awards celebrate individuals and organisations who have made a long-term, sustainable and positive impact on the automotive sector through leadership, professionalism and dedication.
Macclesfield College, an IMI Approved Centre, has transformed its automotive provision into a cutting-edge training hub, investing £500,000 in industry-standard workshops and technologies. Students now train using equipment linked to emerging automotive systems including electric vehicles (EV), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), hydrogen and hybrid technologies, giving learners hands-on experience with real-world industry systems.
This investment, combined with innovative and data-driven teaching approaches, has delivered outstanding results for students, with 100% pass rates achieved in the 2024/25 academic year.
Through strong partnerships with employers and industry, the College ensures learners progress into apprenticeships and skilled automotive careers, helping to address the growing demand for highly trained technicians across the sector.
Lee Burton, Automotive Curriculum Lead at Macclesfield College, who project-managed the redevelopment of the College’s automotive department as part of a vision to future-proof the provision, said: “Being shortlisted for this award is a fantastic recognition of the work our team has done to transform automotive training at Macclesfield College. The automotive industry is evolving rapidly, and it’s vital that our learners train with the latest technologies and real-world systems. We are incredibly proud to be equipping students with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in modern automotive careers.”
The IMI Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony 2026 took place on Wednesday 11 March at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane in London, bringing together some of the most influential professionals from across the automotive sector to celebrate innovation and excellence.
Macclesfield College continues to play an important role in preparing the next generation of skilled, safety-conscious automotive professionals, supporting the industry as it transitions to new technologies and sustainable transport solutions.
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