Robert Adams, one of Telford College’s motor vehicle apprentices, has completed his end-point assessment with a distinction, finishing his outstanding course with the college.

Rob originally came from the town of Witham, Essex, where he studied at Rickstones Secondary School. Upon leaving, he started an apprenticeship in agriculture and landscaping. However, following a major injury and after moving up to Telford, he was looking to retrain.

A career in the automotive industry caught his eye. He had a passion for working on his own cars at home and after researching providers, he decided to join Telford College to study a level 3 motor vehicle service and maintenance technician (light vehicle) apprenticeship.

“I thought my Apprenticeship was good, the first couple of years were very challenging, but when it mattered, we nailed it. We learnt a lot, initially starting with basic servicing into replacing cambelts and clutches, finishing with full diagnostic work and electrical testing. We got a well-rounded experience across the course.

“I think Telford College is a good modern facility, the engineering departments have a good stock of tools and equipment, there’s a really good knowledge base across the department.

“I think an apprenticeship in automotive gives you a higher practical ability and more real-world experience compared to a full-time course. I think it sets younger students up for the future, introducing work routines, time keeping, discipline and health and safety practice – you get that from a full-time course, however its completely different when you get into a real workplace, it can come as a bit of a shock when a student goes to work for the first time, and they don’t know what to expect.

“I think an apprenticeship prepares you financially too, you get to earn money and with further education being compulsory, you get to tick that box whilst earning. Also, if you don’t thrive in an educational setup, being able to learn in a workplace practically with a day a week on campus is much better for some students to learn.”

Following the completion of Rob’s apprenticeship, Rob was offered a position as a technician at the college and he has now been given the opportunity to start working towards his teaching skills, with the college supporting him to upskill with his PTTLS qualification and facilitating small group work to support students. “Having seen how Telford College has progressed in the time I’ve been here, I want to be part of pushing it forward for the next generation of apprentices and full-time students, as well as striving for Ofsted Outstanding. I’m really happy to be part of the team.”

“Robert was an excellent student, both at college and in the workplace,” says Arron Littlewood, Rob’s Automotive assessor. “He was working to a very high standard early on in the workplace, so evidence collection was never a problem for Rob.

“If I asked him to do something, he would just get on and do it. In fact, I now use Rob’s workplace evidence as an example for other apprentices and workplace mentors to show them the standard I expect.

“Now he is part of the team, he is able to offer support and guidance to other apprentices having been through the process himself.”

For more information about our automotive apprenticeships, call our apprenticeship team on 01952 642200 or email at apprenticeships@telfordcollege.ac.uk