NEXT-GEN APPRENTICESHIPS

Auckland teachers are applauding a new automotive academy offering school leavers the chance to develop a can-do attitude, as well as a job to all those who graduate from its course. The Auto Super Shoppe Automotive Academy aligns its teachings to the MITO apprenticeship curriculum, with the addition of extra competencies that workshop owners have stated they want apprentices to have. The first course started in July, offering a partial scholarship worth $3K to students who took up one of the 15 placements. The course has a strong focus on punctuality, accountability, and willingness to work — soft skills that employers are looking for on top of workshop competency. If students make the grade, they will be offered a job within the Auto Super Shoppes network, which includes industry giants such as BNT, Repco, and Century Batteries. General manager Kellie Tremayne and head tutor Rob Humphreys have received a warm welcome from educators losing faith in government-funded technical institutes for automotive courses. This loss of faith is echoed in industry claims of apprentices with poor attitudes and little or no capacity to roll their sleeves up. Mrs Tremayne, a past disciplinary committee member on the Whangaparaoa College Board of Trustees, says it is vital that teachers know there is now a high-quality career pathway available for students who are passionate about cars. “If they work hard, they have a very good chance of passing and getting the job offer that so many graduates crave,” she said. Further information can be found online at the autosupershoppes.co.nz/academy website.