The case studies below are from some of Martec training's learners. See what they think about their courses, their placements and their time with Martec training. If you contact Martec training 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.
TAMARA'S STORY (Business Administration)
"Im so glad i chose to do an Apprenticeship, it enables me to carry on learning while in a real working environment. It's helped me to decide which career i want to pursue and made me more confident. The staff at Martec training have supported me in my work from the start and i have just started my Advanced Apprenticeship."
Tamara came into Martec training in November 2008 looking for a job in Business Administration. Her timing couldn’t have been better as we were looking to set on an Apprentice ourselves! Tamara started with us as an Admin Assistant and has recently completed her Business Administration Apprenticeship.
Tamara’s role involves maintaining Martec training’s learner’s details on a database, monitoring their progression, registration of certification of qualifications, covering reception and general office duties like answering the phone, filing and typing letters.
Tamara says “I’m so glad that I heard about Martec training’s Apprenticeships via Connexions, I really didn’t want to go back into a classroom environment after I left school so this has been ideal for me. It has enabled me to learn new skills and get a wage at the same time. I think that to work in Business Administration you should be polite, have a good telephone manner and be able to multi task. These are things that I have been able to develop during my time working at Martec training and the friendly staff are always able to offer me help or support if I need it. “
Centre Manager – Judith Dodd says “ Tamara has shown promise from the moment she set foot in the door at Martec training, she is a good team player yet can use her initiative when appropriate. Her enthusiasm to learn has enabled her to progress quickly and take on new responsibilities. She has responded well to this style of learning and it’s allowed her to gain valuable experience and permanent employment here at Martec training. Tamara has now moved on to her Advanced Apprenticeship.”
DAN'S STORY (Customer Service)
“I really enjoy dealing with customers and helping them with any queries they may have. 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 ”
Dan Wilde works on the service reception at Madeley Heath Motors, a family run Renault Dealership and repair centre. Dan is currently working towards his Advanced Apprenticeship in Customer Service through Martec training.
Dan’s role is varied, as he works on the service reception it means he is the first person to meet and greet and customers. His duties include booking customers in for a service, passing jobs onto the technicians, invoicing, dealing with warranty claims and any queries the customers may have.
Dan has always had an interest in cars and did at one point consider becoming a mechanic, but due to his good people skills he decided that a career in customer service would be ideal for him. He thinks that to do his job well you should be patient, friendly at all times, have a good sense of humour, be able to work on your own initiative and have great organisational skills.
Dan hopes to progress into a supervisory role after completing his Advanced Apprenticeship
TOM'S STORY (VEHICLE FITTING)
“I really enjoy my work, its definitely what I have always wanted to do and would rather be more hands on doing an apprenticeship than go to college learning a lot of theory, I feel I learn much better this way. I think to be a good Vehicle Fitter you need to have a lot of patience yet be able to work at a pretty fast pace and you need to be polite and friendly as you may be dealing with a lot of customers.”
Tom Sherwin came into Martec training 6 months before he left school in 2009, keen to find out more about getting a career in the Motor Trade due to his passion for cars. He loved his Motor Cross and was always interested in trying to rebuild them when they broke down.
Tom commenced on our e2e VRQ Level 1 in Motor Mechanics course when he left school in the summer, and soon found work experience at Castle Tyres. After several months due to Tom showing a keen, enthusiastic attitude he was set on as a Vehicle Fitting Apprentice and is now currently employed and working towards his apprenticeship.
His tasks are varied and involve tyre fitting, puncture repairs, fitting brake pads and shock absorbers, servicing, re racking stock, signing for deliveries, greeting customers and much more besides.
Tom has really progressed in his role and feels that the good training and support from both Martec training and Castle Tyres is really setting him in stead for a successful career in the motor trade.
Director of Castle Tyres - Ryan Mifflin commented - “Tom came to us on a few months work experience during his time on e2e with Martec training. We could see straight away that Tom was very hard working, great with customers and has a natural ability for the trade. After seeing his potential we offered him a position at Castle Tyres and he is now a very valuable team member. As he develops further we plan to work closely with Martec to link his hands on training to his specific apprenticeship modules which will include more mechanical work . Tom also helps with workshop projects such as routine equipment maintenance and with the recent installation of a new 2 post lift..”
ANTHONY’S STORY (Light Vehicle Technician)
“The support I have received from Martec training in finding me the job and also from my assessor has been excellent. I would recommend this route to anyone wanting a job as a mechanic as it allows you to really get stuck in, gain hands on experience and earn a wage at the same time!.”
Anthony Finney is employed at AC Autos in Maybank, Newcastle under Lyme and is working towards his Light Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship through Martec training.
Having grown up with cars, observing and helping family members to fix theirs, Anthony knew from a young age that his dream for the future is to someday own his own garage. With this in mind, in Year 11, Anthony spoke to his school Connexion’s PA who sign posted him to Martec training.
Anthony came into Martec training having found his own garage placement, unfortunately this fell through but within a few weeks Martec training found another garage that was keen to interview Anthony for a possible vacancy. The interview was a success, as was his trial period and he was offered the job as an Apprentice Technician.
Anthony’s duties involve MOT testing, servicing, helping other staff on jobs and doing his own jobs under supervision, but is becoming more independent every day. Anthony aims to move onto his Advanced Apprenticeship in the future so he can then become a qualified technician and MOT tester.
Managing Director of AC Autos – Chris Dijiacomo commented - "Anthony is a very keen and hard working young man who has come on in leaps and bounds since we set him on over 12 months ago. He has the right attitude to succeed as a Technician and is becoming a valuable team member. My company has always been a big believer that an Apprenticeship is, without a doubt, the best route to gain the right skills to become a qualified technician. Two of AC Auto’s current employees started off as Martec Apprentices and have now been with us for over 15 years, so we are confident that on the job training alongside day release for the underpinning knowledge at Martec training really does work!"
DANIEL’S STORY (Vehicle Paint Tecnician)
I am so glad I found out about the Apprenticeship scheme, I love cars so its great to be able to work with them every day. I get a real sense of satisfaction from my job and enjoy learning all the different techniques in Body Refinishing."
Daniel Atkinson is currently employed as a Paint Technician at M&M Vehicle Repairs, one of the largest accident repair centres in Staffordshire. He is just about to complete his Apprenticeship in Body Refinishing.
Dan has always had an interest in cars and loved to read magazines on body work from a young age. So when Martec training came into his school to do some mock interviews he was really pleased to hear about the Paint Apprenticeship available to him.
His main duties in the paint shop are to assess what repairs need doing, to assure all parts have been stripped from the vehicle, prepare panels for paint by sanding down, masking out and priming relevant areas along with helping to keep the work shop clean and tidy and valeting the cars before they go back out to the customer.
When Dan moves onto his Advanced Apprenticeship he will be more involved with selecting, matching and mixing colour as well as spray painting the vehicles themselves in the specialist booths.
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.
