My Apprenticeship Story
Maddison Gallatley – Apprentice Vehicle Technician RRG Toyota Bolton (Part 2)
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“There were also some questions they asked me in an interview, such as why I wanted to be a Vehicle Technician and what got me into the trade. Once I was successful with that part, ProVQ then did the rest of finding me an
apprenticeship somewhere, all I had to do was wait for a phone call. Initially, I actually got my first call from RRG Lexus Bolton, which I went through the process of an interview and a 3 day work trial, which I was successful in. However, at the end, they told me that RRG Toyota Bolton had a space open up for an apprentice, and since I had already worked there for 2 weeks and knew people and was comfortable, they gave me the option to do my apprenticeship at RRG Toyota Bolton instead. This all took course over a few months from about April - July.
Personally for me, I did have to overcome some personal challenges. Being in a fast-paced workshop with new people was an experience I had to get use to. Working on customers' vehicles, and knowing that if I did something wrong, it could potentially put someone's life in danger. It can take a large amount of courage and self-confidence to do this job, and it definitely helps to have such good work colleagues around you. They understand that mistakes will happen, as long as you own up to them and take responsibility. Everyone is still learning new things every day, you just have to remember that you won't be perfect at first, and that is perfectly okay.
My typical day starts with my morning routine/duties, so that involves emptying all the bins in the workshop, removing any waste tyres to the storage area, recycling the oil/fuel filters, plastics, and scrap metal. I also drain the oil drainers each morning. Once those tasks are done, I will usually spend the rest of the day either helping the technicians in the workshop with a job, such as servicing or brakes. And if there is no one available to help, I will clean up in the workshop, whether that be sweeping, mopping, organising things. I also take one hour a day to spend on specific training, part of the apprenticeship scheme I'm on, I must complete online learning, so I usually do so for an hour a day.
My training consists of a few aspects. The main part is my training blocks that I attend. These occur every couple of months. I go down to the ProVQ Centre for a week and the block will be about a certain subject, whether it be suspension or engine mechanical. We have tests we do whilst we are there, alongside with practical tasks in the workshop. When I'm at work, I have online learning that I have to complete, as well as task sheets to complete and do a detailed write up on."
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