Students in Newport can put their vehicle repair skills to the test on four new trucks. Global automotive supplier ArvinMeritor Inc has donated four trucks to the motor vehicle department at Coleg Gwent's City of Newport Campus Newport.

The company's Cwmbran operation manufactures braking systems for commercial vehicles, supplying a range of leading truck makers.

The four Volvo trucks have been used to test prototype components in the research and development facility.

The donation will provide vital hands-on experience for students training in heavy vehicle repair and servicing.

The trucks will be used to instruct them in specialised skills, including anti-lock brake and air suspension system testing, and for practical assessments. All the college's commercial vehicle training takes place at Newport.

It provides NVQ training for modern apprentices on day or block release, at foundation and advanced level, as well as the City & Guilds technical certificate and full-time pre-apprenticeship training.

Last year Coleg Gwent benefited from the donation of equipment from engine diagnostic specialists Crypton, including a £100,000 commercial vehicle brake tester which ArvinMeritor staff hope to use to test braking efficiency. "We're thrilled with this generous donation from ArvinMeritor and looking forward to working more closely with them," said Rob Lewis at the City of Newport Campus. "There are benefits for local employers, the college, ArvinMeritor and of course the students themselves. "It will be far easier to carry out assessments because we won't have to rely on the availability of vehicles in the workplace. It will enhance the quality of training we can offer and could lead to the introduction of further specialist courses."

Dave Reynolds, development test laboratory team leader at ArvinMeritor, said: "We heard that Coleg Gwent were looking for commercial vehicles for student training and luckily this coincided with ArvinMeritor Cwmbran downsizing our fleet of test vehicles. It was an ideal opportunity to help out the college rather than scrap the vehicles."