A TALENTED engineer, Peter Dixon shared his knowledge and passion for the industry by training most of the engineering managers across the Basingstoke area.

Peter, who died of cancer on June 3 at the age of 74, was the longest-serving member of staff at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT).

He was affectionately known as Pete by his family, friends and colleagues and was honoured last year with a long service ‘Gold Award’ for his 50 years of service at BCoT.

Pete joined the college in February 1971 and quickly became a college legend for delivering fun, informative apprenticeship courses. He was very well respected among local engineering firms and the engineering awarding bodies.

Many of his apprentices and have since gone on to employ their own apprentices across the north of Hampshire.

His first role at the college was as a lecturer of engineering, before undertaking many roles, including programme manager, head of faculty and head of engineering where he was instrumental in developing the curriculum and experience engineering students receive.

He was also a lead assessor for the college, where he was involved in checking students’ work, skills or knowledge is up to the standards required. His last roles were assessor and an Internal Quality Assurer (IQAs), responsible for checking the assessors are doing things correctly, which he carried out on part-time basis while he was undergoing treatment for cancer over the last 18-months – a testament of his dedication to engineering and the college.

Pete was a very professional colleague to everyone at BCoT - his encouragement and attention to detail made him indispensable. He was hugely valued by those that worked closely with him, for his wealth of knowledge, support, and advice and will be remembered not only as a brilliant engineer but also for his kindness and good nature.

Away from BCoT, Pete was a proud father to Becki and grandfather to nine-year-old Francesca. His free time was full of hobbies – he enjoyed swimming and was a keen cyclist. He loved nothing more than watching the Tour De France and often visited France in his caravan to see the action live. Pete continued o share his wealth of knowledge and his skills through Basingstoke Shed, where he was a trustee. He could also be found on the golf course in Overton accompanied by good friends, Brian and Paul.

His loss will be felt across the college and the local community, but his enthusiasm and passion for engineering will live on in courses delivered at BCoT and to every apprentice and student who takes them.

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