Automotive glazing apprentice reaps the rewards of learning whilst earning

Nov. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- Eighteen year-old Jamie Medlicott always wanted a career involving cars but not one that included being in an office environment, so vehicle sales was not going to be his thing.
When he was offered a chance to do an Apprenticeship in Automotive Glazing with national company, Motorglass, part of Nationwide Accident Repair Services plc, Jamie jumped at the opportunity. He said:

“I always wanted to have a career that involved working on cars and I found out about automotive glazing when I left school. Being able to fit a windscreen on my own has been one of my best achievements and I love the variety of the work and meeting different people.”

Once employed by Motorglass, Jamie was registered on the Level 2 Apprenticeship with IWA, the leading UK training provider in auto-glazing.

In one of the most fast paced sectors of British industry, worth an estimated £5billion annually, the automotive glazing market is responsible for helping to keep vehicles on the road safely and conveniently.  As Maria Charlton, Director, IWA explains:

“A windscreen is more than just a piece of toughened glass. It’s a technology all of its own. ‘Smart glass’ windscreens now incorporate solar and hydrophobic coatings, rain, light and heat sensors, radio and GPS antennae and even Head-Up Display.

“All this demands a complex set of skills when it comes to repairing and replacing automotive glass. With the windscreen now integrated into a number of vehicle systems, those at the sharp end need to be highly competent technicians and an Apprenticeship is a great way of introducing capable young people into our sector.”

Expected to take approximately 12 months to complete his apprenticeship, Jamie was provided with an induction by IWA, which included: the procedure for the Apprenticeship in Automotive Glazing; Safeguarding; Equality and Diversity; Health and Safety and Employees Rights and Responsibilities.

Keeping track of Jamie’s progress at Motorglass was Dean Heath, the company’s Operations Manager, who commented:

"Having originally come from a training background, I fully appreciate the benefits and commercial advantages of having a work force that has been trained and assessed to an industry recognised qualification. Jamie is an outstanding individual who applies himself to any task he undertakes. Jamie has been totally focused on completing his NVQ and with the guidance of his mentor Alan Bridges, Jamie has managed to complete his NVQ much sooner that the allocated time scale."

Neville Wiffen is IWA’s senior assessor, who has more than thirty years experience in the automotive glazing business. He was impressed by Jamie’s ability, maturity and attitude:

“I found Jamie to be one of the most outstanding apprentices I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Jamie completed all of his assignments to a very high standard in an unbelievably short period of time. Not only was his paperwork outstanding but he also scored very highly in his online tests. When assessing Jamie at work, I was very impressed by the professional manner in which he conducted himself and how capable his fitting ability was at a young age. He demonstrated time and time again that he listened and took on board all that he was shown and taught throughout his apprenticeship.”

Having completed his formal apprenticeship in only nine months, Jamie has become a competent auto-glazing professional within Motorglass and is looking to continue gaining experience and developing his skills further.

Commenting on the future needs of the automotive glazing industry, Maria Charlton said:
“There is a continuing need in automotive glazing for investment in training to help companies and individuals grow through up-skilling.  The sector needs employers to recognise the vast opportunities and benefits that work based training schemes such as Apprenticeships can offer and Motorglass is one such employer that has grasped the nettle. It has recognised that a skilled workforce has a positive impact right across the industry. Apprenticeships are critical in ensuring that vital skills are not lost within the next 10 years. They are already helping this business by offering a proven way of harnessing fresh talent. On the job learning ensures apprentices learn the skills that work best for the business, resulting in increased productivity and loyalty.”

Speaking about his apprenticeship, Jamie Medlicott said:

I would just like to say a massive thank you to Neville Wiffen and the team at IWA for all their help and support during my apprenticeship. I really appreciate all their support and the tips they have given me. Working with the IWA has given me the confidence to pursue my career as an auto-glazing technician within Motorglass and I am deeply grateful for that."

http://www.iwa.gb.com