The case studies below are from some of Martec’s Apprenticeship and e2e (Entry to Employment) learners. See what they think about their courses, their placements and their time with Martec. If you contact Martec on 01782 717272 you too could soon be in their shoes and on your way to a successful future and with a nationally recognised qualification.
DANIEL’S STORY (e2e)
Daniel from Cross Heath, came away from school with a few GCSE’s but not really knowing which way to turn next. He went along to his local Connexions centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme and after an initial chat and assessment was referred to Martec’s e2e programme in November 2004.
After completing an initial assessment, an individual learning plan was developed for Daniel. Even though he didn’t qualify for any EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance), Daniel attended the centre 3 days a week. He was given training on things such as key skills, confidence building, how to write a good CV, interview skills, equal opportunities and health and safety. The group also got the chance to have some days out including the peak district and a visit to the science museum, alongside this being both educational and fun it also enabled Daniel to make lots of new friends and also taught him how to work as part of a team in various group activities.
After 8 months on the scheme Daniel had learned a lot of social and life skills, which meant he was more prepared to move into the work place. He was put on placement at KS Autos. Daniel took to it like a duck to water, within weeks he was dealing with paperwork and speaking to customers as well as quickly picking up the mechanic side of it all. Ken the garage owner was so impressed with him that after a few weeks he offered him a permanent position.
Daniel has been at the garage for nearly two years now and is due to complete his Apprenticeship in the summer. Daniel is an excellent example of how the transition to apprenticeships from the e2e programme can really work.
STEVE'S STORY (e2e)
Steven aged 17, joined the e2e programme at Martec in July last year. He had faced certain difficult issues during his school years that reduced his confidence severely.
After a few weeks Steven slowly started to make friends within the group and with the help of the staff he started to settle in and join in with more and more activities. A few of the lads became protective of him and this has helped him gain confidence. He now attends five days a week instead of the compulsory three!
Steven regularly helps out with careers events, hosting on taster days and supporting tutors with lessons for schools. He has become a very sociable and caring young man who is very supportive of all those around him.
He has recently started to do voluntary work at the YMCA helping out with sports activities for young people aged 16 - 20.
Steven has taken a massive leap towards being ready to move into the workplace, in such a short time he has gone from being a nervous quiet boy to a caring, confident and articulate young man. Even though he is not yet in employment the future looks a lot brighter for Steven and he is a shining example of how the e2e programme can change someone’s life for the better.
DANIELLE’S STORY (Business Administration)
“I’m glad that I found out about the apprenticeship scheme as it suits me much better than being in a classroom. I feel that I have gained a lot of valuable experience, and with the support of Martec I now have a really good qualification and hope to use this to progress in the future.”
Danielle left school with good GCSE results but was unsure of the next step. One day she saw an advertisement promoting Martec and apprenticeships. She knew very little about what an apprenticeship entailed, so went along to Martec who fully explained the scheme. The fact that you could earn when you learn whilst getting hands on experience were the main reasons Danielle chose to take the apprentice route.
Martec found Danielle a placement in a Business Administration role at Marsons in Newcastle-under-Lyme. She has now completed her apprenticeship after just eight months as opposed to the usual eighteen months! Danielle describes the job as very varied, which means no two days are ever the same. Her role involves anything from processing documents to dealing with enquiries and reception duties. It has taught her the importance of teamwork and also how to work effectively on her own.
MARTIN'S STORY (Customer Service)
“My apprenticeship has given me a lot more confidence and developed my communication skills. When you’re dealing with customers you have to be pleasant and mild tempered at all times and also very organised to make sure all of the work gets done correctly and on time.”
Martin from Maybank works as an After Sales Consultant at Randles Suzuki in Newcastle-under-Lyme. He found the job in the local newspaper and once accepted he asked his manager if he could do a qualification in Customer Service, he was told about Martec’s courses and after 2 years at Randles he has now completed his apprenticeship.
Martin’s role is varied, but his main duty is to manage the service reception which means he is the first person to meet and greet and customers. His duties include booking customers in for a service, invoicing, dealing with warranty claims and any complaints the customers may have.
Martin hopes that his qualification will now help him to progress higher up the career ladder at Randles and maybe move into a management role.
DANIEL'S STORY (FASTFIT)
“I have always been interested in seeing how things work and used to love helping my granddad to fix his cars. I knew that when I left school I wanted to be in an environment where I could use my practical skills so my apprenticeship in vehicle fitting is ideal as it allows me to do just that”
Daniel works as a Fast Fit Technician for Automec and is currently working towards his apprenticeship.
When Daniel was still at school he completed a 2 year ‘Skills for working life’ qualification in year 10 and 11, he would come into Martec once a week to do this and the group even made a kit car as part of the course! He knew that as soon as he left school he wanted to find a career in the motor trade.
Daniel originally went onto the e2e (Entry to Employment) scheme to help improve his basic skills. After 12 months he went on work experience at Automec and was then offered the position of Fast Fit technician. He really enjoys his work and is learning new skills all the time. His main tasks involve diagnosing faults, installing new components and repairing and replacing faulty parts.
Daniel has really progressed in his role and feels that the good training and support from Martec is really setting him in stead for a successful career in the motor trade and he hopes to one day own his own garage.
MARK’S STORY (Light Vehicle Technician)
“If you have an interest in cars and are willing to put the effort in then I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship in the Motor Trade. It helped me to gain experience whilst getting paid and now I have a recognized qualification which will help me to progress even further in the future ”
Mark had always been interested in cars from a young age and more of a ‘practical’ person so when he heard about Martec’s Apprenticeship scheme he knew it was the right choice for him. Martec found him a placement as an apprentice mechanic at Norstone Autos in Stone and he has been there ever since! The apprenticeship meant that he was able to learn, train and earn at the same time with much of his practical experience coming from supervised work in the garage itself. He attended the Motorvate Technical College on day release to help complete the Techincal Certificate part of the qualification. Mark’s assessor visited once a month to check on my progress and offer help and guidance.”
When Mark first started the placement he didn’t have all that much technical knowledge about cars, but due to the support of his workshop supervisor he soon picked things up very quickly. His daily duties involve the usual repairs and m.o.t.s. but he also does all of the paperwork to make sure everything is running smoothly. Mark’s boss relocated to Spain recently so Mark is now responsible for the day-to-day running of the garage.
SAMANTHA'S STORY (Motorcycle Technician)
“I have always loved motorcycles so when I heard about Martec’s apprenticeships I knew that this was the way forward for me. Im so happy I went along this route as I’m actually working in an area that I enjoy.”
Samantha has recently completed her Motorcycle Technician Advanced Apprenticeship with Martec. She has been employed at Bikerz for over 5 years now and she really enjoys her work.
Sam was originally studying for A levels but wanted something more hands on and enjoyable. She was bought a bike of her own when she was 16 as all of her family are bike fanatics, so when she was advised of Martec’s apprenticeships she jumped at the chance. She managed to find her own placement within a few months and has never looked back.
Sam’s tasks include tuning, fixing non runners, diagnostics, changing tyres, race prepping and body kits. She also helps out as a racing bike mechanic at the weekend, which takes her all over the UK. Her genuine love of motorcycles, her great way with the customers and her positive attitude meant that she progressed through both her Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications with flying colours and has become a very valuable member of the Bikerz team.
ANDREW’S STORY (Vehicle Paint Spraying)
“I have always had an interest in cars and was good at graphic design at college. When I decided to look for a more practical career route I discovered that the Body Refinishing Apprenticeship would be ideal as it allows me to work with vehicles and use my eye for detail.”
Andrew aged 22, has recently completed his Advanced Apprenticeship in Body Refinishing through Martec and is currently working at GRS Logistics in Cold Meece.
Andrew heard about Martec when he was at school, so when he decided to finish college to seek a more hands on route, he got in touch to try and find out more about apprenticeships. Within a few weeks Andrew had found his own placement at GRS and has never looked back since.
During his first 2 years Andrew’s duties involved the preparation of panels to accept foundation and topcoats, the application of the foundation materials and repairing minor paint defects. Now Andrew has completed his Advanced Apprenticeship he also mixes and matches the paint colours to the right specification and completes the refinishing operation by spray painting the vehicle.
He now has even more responsibility in his role and is involved with ‘smart repair’ which means that he also gets involved with interior repairs, cigarette burns, rips etc. Now he is fully qualified Andrew hopes to progress up the career ladder at GRS.
SEAN’S STORY (Retail Operations)
“Throughout my training I have built up a variety of skills. I think that gaining work-based qualifications is going to put me in a good position for the future as I have the experience needed for the retail industry."
Sean Hitchins is currently working in the goods inwards and parts department at Potteries Motor Factors in Leek. He completed his Retail Operations Apprenticeship with Martec last year. PMF supply garages with parts and accessories. Sean’s role involves dealing with the goods when they arrive, checking the stock supplies and paints and returning any faulty goods.
Sean says that his apprenticeship has taught him how to multi task, be more organised and the importance of having good product knowledge. It has also provided him with a greater sense of confidence and covered important issues such as security, health and safety and a high level of customer service.
Sean now hopes to move on to complete his Advanced Apprenticeship and move up the career ladder into a management role.
JAMES’ STORY (Warehousing & Distribution)
“I think this was the best thing I could have done on leaving school. I have always been more of a ‘hands on’ person so it was good to just to get out there, get practical experience and get working. I feel like I have learned a lot in such a short space of time.”
James Barrow works in the warehouse department at Formula 4 in Stone. He is due to complete his apprenticeship in Warehousing and Distribution early next year. He heard about Martec’s apprenticeship scheme in a presentation he had at school and decided that this was a good route for him as he could earn as he gained a good qualification.
Formula 4 specialise in 4x4, van, car and MPV (Minivans and People Carriers) accessories such as wheels, tyres and hard tops. James works in dispatch which means on a daily basis he deals with packing, order picking and the shipping of orders. James says that the help he has had from his assessor has been fantastic and that the apprenticeship has taught him how to work well as part of a team and to work quickly and effectively.
JULIA’S STORY (Train To Gain)
Julia recently completed her NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration through Martec.
I have been working in an administration role all my life so I felt I was quite experienced within my role, however I was aware of new processes and systems that were coming out and so I felt I needed to update my skills. I also didn’t have any proof to show I could do my job, I have years of experience but no qualifications.
Through Train to Gain I was able to get the training I needed and a certificate to compliment my new and existing skills. My assessor visited me once a month and gained evidence of me doing my job, this didn’t interfere with my everyday work. Where appropriate I received training, this was also done on the job so as to cause as little disturbance as possible.
I have now achieved my Level 3 in Business Administration and feel confident within my job. I know that if I need to prove my ability in the future, I can.
MADELEY HEATH MOTORS
We first heard about Train to Gain 3 years ago, we knew all our staff were more than capable of doing their jobs but didn’t have the relevant paperwork to prove it. Train to Gain allowed my staff to gain a qualification for the skills they have at no cost to my business. They were each assigned an assessor that visited frequently, their assessors did not interfere with their work at all, they simply observed them doing their job, and where necessary combined observations with training sessions.
Although the qualifications did not alter the level of service at my site, it has given my employees refreshed drive in their work.
