Schools Applaud New Job Offer And Training Package for Kids Who Love Cars
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Auckland teachers are applauding a new automotive academy that not only offers school leavers the chance to develop a
can-do attitude, it offers a job to all those who graduate.
The Auto Super Shoppes Academy starts its first course late July, offering a partial scholarship worth $3000 to those
who take up one of the 15 placements. The course has a strong focus on punctuality, accountability and willingness to
work hard - soft skills that employers are looking for on top of workshop competencies, like servicing a car from day
one.
If students make the grade, they will be offered a job within the Auto Super Shoppes 80+ member and affiliate provider
network. This includes industry giants such as BNT, Repco and Century Batteries.
General Manager Kellie Tremayne and Head Tutor Rob Humphreys have been busy taking this message to Auckland schools.
They have received a warm, relieved welcome from educators who are losing faith in sending school leavers to government
funded technical institutes for automotive courses. This loss of faith from teachers is echoed in industry claims that
apprentices are coming out with a poor attitude and little or no capacity to roll their sleeves up and service a car.
Northcote College Deputy Principal, Mr Sam McNaughton, is thrilled to see a quality course that is prepared to educate
kids as well as offer them a job. He is one of several educators, career counsellors, gateway co-ordinators, automotive
technology and engineering teachers that Tremayne and Humphreys have presented to in the last month.
The North Shore DP heard about the Academy some time ago when school and community-minded co-founder and Director Geoff
Harper consulted him about course content. The long-time mechanic has a history of finding jobs for their school
leavers.
Mr McNaughton says the claims that standard ‘tech’ pre-trade automotive courses are falling behind are founded.
“I don’t know the background but for whatever reason, some recent course offerings don’t seem to be matching up with
what the industry wants in our area.
“The Auto Super Shoppes Academy will have to turn out graduates who are well trained and prepared to do well, and this
is in part because they have attached their premium business name to it. But what I am especially pleased about with
this course is that they are prepared to make all graduates a job offer in the industry. That is what really sets them
apart from other courses.”
Mrs Tremayne, a past disciplinary committee member on the Whangaparaoa College Board of Trustees, adds it is vital that
teachers know there is now a high-quality career and job 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.”
Tremayne agrees that when compared with status quo courses, their Academy costs reflect a private tuition model. But
with four $2000 partial scholarships available at each intake, and the option of competitive finance to pay back fees
over 12-24 months, it is still within reach of most applicants.
“Where students opt for financing, repayments can be deferred for three months; graduating students will be in full time
employment so paying back study fees as a small portion of their income is entirely possible” she says.
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