When it comes to becoming a motor vehicle technician there can be few places better to learn the skills of your trade than Porsche.
That is the reality for former Stockton Riverside College student, Emily, who has secured an apprenticeship at the Teesside branch.
Starting out on the Porsche Academy training programme, the 19-year-old from Stockton said: “My family are pretty happy and excited for me.
“I’m enjoying it and hope to eventually become a gold technician.”
Right now, she is working towards the official Porsche bronze standard and there’s so much more to learn.
She knows there’s no room for errors when you are working with some of the top of the range high-performance cars.
And, just like the vehicles themselves, there’s a level of service expected from Porsche staff.
“You have to be really careful,” she said. But, surrounded by a team of professionals, she knows how good an opportunity this is.
And, as if she needed further inspiration, she is joined in the workshop by two other former Stockton Riverside College motor vehicle students, Connor and James, also flying through the Porsche apprenticeship training scheme.
Looking back at her time at college, Emily said: “It was my parents and also friends who first suggested I consider studying motor vehicle. I knew a bit about cars, so it made sense.”
On the programme she was quickly able to pick up the basics, and a work placement at Porsche Teesside offered the opportunity to impress, all of which paid off when an apprenticeship vacancy came up.
Emily said: “I was excited when they told me I had got it.”
Now she is determined to make the most of every moment.
Dave Hobson course leader for motor vehicle said: “Emily’s enthusiasm, time keeping and attendance made her a great candidate for the apprenticeship.
“Her commitment to the course and now to Porsche has been outstanding and all of this will stand her in good stead as she progresses in the industry.”
Paying a visit to Emily in the workplace, City and Guilds automotive technical advisor, Paul Tunnicliffe, said: “It is great to see a former City and Guilds student that has trained with Stockton Riverside College progress into such a prestigious arena as Porsche. I wish her every success for the future.”
