Apprenticeships

Scott Duffy (18) is in the third year of his apprenticeship. He has always wanted to be a Service Technician. He was taking bicycles apart when he was a child and unlike some people, he could reassemble them, so that they worked afterwards.

Scott is technically in the last year of a three-year apprenticeship that involved considerable diagnostic work. However because he applied commitment and learned fast he finished the course in two years and now works without a mentor. Every few months he spends a week on block release: which boosts his practical skills with new knowledge. Aside from the technical aspects Scott will get customer service training. This is particularly important to Perry’s because we encourage our customers to talk directly to our technicians about the work they have done for their vehicles.

8.30

Scott arrives at work, clocks in and changes into his overalls. He wears a hat to keep him warm for when he’s outside. However electronic doors ensure the workshop is comfortable and Perry’s provide a range of protective clothing so that the technicians are warm and safe. The day’s jobs are distributed to the team by the Workshop Controller.

13.00

Lunch is half an hour. There is the choice of two food van and two sandwhich, shops so after getting his food, Scott eats with the team in the canteen upstairs.

13.30

There are no jobs Scott would rather not do and it is this positive attitude that has taken him so far in a very short space of time. There is variety in the work each day and all of it is interesting. Within the Perry’s group, there are different models to work with. Scott started off working on Fiats before moving onto Vauxhalls.

17.00

Scott is a great example of what this scheme can offer young people. His dedication and motivation earned him 20 driving lessons as part of a deal Perry’s operates with their partner the British School of Motoring. Scott would urge others like himself to take up the scheme. For those who are keen to work and to learn the rewards are great.

Now Scott gets paid for spending all day doing what he loves. When he passed his test the rest of the team helped Scott find a decent car, which of course he can take apart and put together himself. He’s come a long way since he mended his bike!