Well Done Cat

Derby College has officially recognised the hard work and dedication of students and staff at the 10th annual Peak Awards event held at The Roundhouse vocational campus.

Catherine receives her award from Graham Schumacher of Rolls-Royce plc.  Photo courtesy of Derby College

More than 70 students and staff were presented with awards at the glittering ceremony which was organised as the climax of the annual College’s festival to showcase the talents of students across all campuses.
 

Among the winners was motor vehicle apprentice Catherine Treanor (19) from Duffield who won the Manufacturing and Engineering Apprenticeship award in recognition of her achievements and her work to raise the profile of the industry amongst young women.

Catherine at work at Station Garage Belper

Catherine has done presentations to school pupils and as part of International Women’s Day and has also recently returned from Germany where she spent two weeks working for a VQ Audi dealership in Gera as part of a work exchange programme involving Derby College and other European learning providers. Catherine, who is an apprentice at Good Garage Scheme member garage, Station Garage in Belper – attending Derby College on day release – was chosen for the exchange because of her work ethic and willingness to learn German.

She said: “It was an amazing experience and has definitely given me a taste for working abroad.

I was really honoured to be chosen for this exchange and took this opportunity very seriously – working hard to learn as much German as I could and getting the most out of the whole experience.”

Catherine has continued to educate women about how to look after their cars during a recent Ladies' Evening at Station Garage Belper where over 40 ladies attended and were shown how to check the oil and what is not included during an MOT inspection.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank Derby College for permission to post this blog.

Female-friendly garage recruits female apprentice

MECA Car Services, a Good Garage Scheme member based in Exeter, Devon, have recruited a new apprentice, helping support their position as a female-friendly garage in their area of the south-west of England. 

Penny Brown with Jennifer Riach, owner of Meca Car Services  (photo - Meca Car Services)

Penny Brown, new apprentice and mum of three, was keen to combine her interest in the motor industry with her wish to develop new skills after time spent raising her young children. Thanks to MECA Car Services, Penny is now developing her skills by both college training and practical experience in the workshop. 

In what is still a male-dominated occupation, Penny is keen to help disprove outdated stereotypes, advising: "If anyone wants to do something like this they should definitely go for it because I'm really enjoying it."

Jennifer Riach, the owner at MECA Car Services, on making her selection during her recruitment of a new apprentice, said of Penny: 

“She is slightly older than the other candidates, and because she has done the family thing first she has that life experience, and her more mature approach to the job has convinced me my decision was the right one.”

She added: "It's heartbreaking when you hear about apprentices who have signed up to start their training and can't find a placement, so the college is the best place to see who is available.”

The team at Meca Car Services   (photo - Meca Car Services)

Generous support had been given through the process by both the National Apprenticeship Service and Exeter College and Jennifer hopes other businesses follow suit in helping young people into work.

To read the full article, from the Exeter Express and Echo, please see here.