News: Automotive apprenticeship helps motor vehicle enthusiast steam ahead

Nineteen year-old Callum Scothern from Farnsfield in Nottinghamshire is currently on track to successfully completing his NVQ Level 3 Auto Repair apprenticeship course at our EMTEC site in Ruddington.

Beginning his three year course in September 2015, Callum always knew that he wanted to have a career within the vehicle repair industry. His passion was further ignited after finishing a few weeks work experience with a friend of his dad’s before he applied for a job.







Speaking of the start of his apprenticeship journey, Callum explained:



“It seemed that everything was meant to be and things have fallen into place, taking a positive, rewarding path. A few months after my work experience, I was offered a job at Sytner Nottingham and began my apprenticeship program. Nottingham College was chosen for me by my employer, as it had been highly recommended.”



The apprenticeship course program is run on block release, where on average learners spend five weeks at work and then one at college. The course consists of three assessments for each topic; a practical assessment, a written assessment and an online test. “In these, I either have to score over a certain percentage or create a written job card with photos as proof to show I have performed a certain task,” Callum said.



“When I am at work, I tend to be very busy, working hard to meet the standards set by ourselves. The majority of our work comes from insurance companies. However, we do sometimes have a cash job or a restoration to complete. As a BMW and mini dealership, the majority of our work comes from these brands. However, we can also get Ferrari’s, Maserati’s and Audi’s due to the company’s ties with other dealerships,” Callum added.



Situated south of Nottingham, the EMTEC site is the centre to a vast range of training covering 100 years of automotive technology from the restoration of war vehicles through to modern hybrids. In addition, EMTEC also has a large footprint in vehicle accident repair.



The leading training facilitator is the perfect place to nurture apprentices, with new specialist “real life” technology and repair methods specifically designed for upskilling people; who want to thrive in the ever growing and changing automotive industry.



So far, Callum has had a wealth of positive experiences that have helped him get much closer to his future ambition of having his own business.



He says “In the meantime, I am focused on being the best that I can be at my job. My greatest achievement so far is to reach squad pool with the world skills team. The best way to describe this is it is like being a part of Team GB at the Olympics, as it’s only for trade people.



“If anyone I knew was considering an apprenticeship, I would encourage them to go for it, especially if they were like me and decided university isn’t for them.



“In my eyes becoming an apprentice is the best thing I have ever done, as I can learn from others who have much more experience than a degree can offer.”