Every month AM conducts a quick Q&A interview with an car retail or manufacturer employee to find out what makes them tick. In the lastest issue of the magazine, Drayton Motors Boston's light vehicle technician apprentice Deakin Petts says his desire to learn is what drives him to succeed.

 

What do you do as part of your apprenticeship in a typical day?

As an apprentice light vehicle technician, my day to day tasks include carrying out typical servicing jobs on customers’ cars.

These are usually straightforward tasks, such as first, second, third and fourth services and visual health inspections. 

I also shadow master technicians when they are undertaking more challenging, in-depth jobs.

My other responsibility is to do the normal housekeeping jobs such as keeping the workshop clean by emptying bins, oil drainers, oil filter bins, etc. I tidy up, taking scrap out, sweeping and mopping.

What are the most challenging aspects of your apprenticeship?

Lack of knowledge is a challenging aspect for anyone starting in the industry.

Even though I’ve only had a short time in the trade, I feel I have learned a great deal through my apprenticeship.

However, I realise there is so much more to learn in the trade and I have so much respect and admiration for the master technicians, as they have such a vast knowledge of Kia’s workings. 

How is your employer helping you overcome them?

I am allocated time to shadow the master technicians at the dealership so that I can expand my knowledge on the job.

The college training is also a huge part of helping me gain knowledge, and my employer helps by providing me accommodation for the week, all paid for, making it possible for me to take the time to learn and gain my qualifications.

What attracted you to this area of expertise?

I’ve always had an interest in cars from an early age and it’s continued as I’ve grown up and become something I want to focus on for a career. 

I’ve always liked knowing how things work and once I learned how to drive, my love of cars was boosted.

After finishing college, I was offered an unconditional place for an engineering degree at Lincoln University.

I wasn’t sold on university as I preferred to be more hands-on. I started looking for an apprenticeship in the motoring industry to tie in my passion for cars with hands-on experience and I enquired to see if Kia Boston dealership had any availability.  

I was delighted to secure a light vehicle technician apprenticeship, and I am currently one year into my three-year apprenticeship. 

What is the most important thing you have learned during your training – and how are you making use of it?

The main thing is to get into a routine. Double check and be sure you have done everything that you should be doing.

Make sure to take it step by step so that you don’t waste any time having to go back and check things. If you follow your routine with a job then you can’t slip up. 

Following manufacturer procedures is key. If you get into the routine of manufacturer’s procedures you will not slip up.

What drives you? 

My interest drives me... wanting to learn, further my career and become the best technician I can be. 

What’s your favourite app? 

Probably Instagram due to its social and educational purposes.

You’re able to stay updated with the world and new announcements from companies. It even allows me to stay updated with my local dealer and what new announcements they have for customers. 

How do you relax? 

A few of my friends are in the trade, so in our spare time we’ll end up helping each other work on each other’s cars.

Sometimes it’s relaxing, other times it isn’t! But there’s always a sense of achievement when you get something done right.