“There’s no better feeling than when your learners leave and get a job in the industry.”
My automotive career started around 30 years ago. I was interested in my uncle’s work as a repair technician for the council. So, I was always tinkering about with cars and eventually started working part time in a garage.
From here, I went on to do an automotive apprenticeship, which was just the start of my relationship with the IMI. This led to a number of jobs at independent garages until I was headhunted to go and work for a main dealer.
I helped set up express fit and master fit sections, as this was an area where they were struggling, before going into management.
I always like to learn new things and so, after a while, I stepped sideways into more customer-facing roles, to workshop control, to service management and after-sales.
When I was working with a student on work experience, I realised I had a lot more to offer. Bar a brief break where I worked for the DVSA, I’ve been working in teaching ever since. I love passing on my skills to the next generation.
The best part of my job is the learners. There’s no better feeling than when your learners leave and get a job in the industry.
The automotive industry is often overlooked, despite the fact that if someone’s car isn’t working, they can’t get to work.
But that’s not to say, the automotive industry is just that. My career has shown that there are so many avenues to go down in our sector, and that’s something a lot of people don’t realise.
