Automotive technicians motoring ahead

Former Telford College automotive students are thriving at motor dealership Furrows building successful careers across a range of departments.

The dealership, which has bases in Telford, Shrewsbury and Oswestry, currently has six former college students on its payroll, working in areas such as the car and commercial workshop, accident repair and parts.

All have become fully-fledged technicians in their respective fields after successfully completing their training.

Gareth Richards, general manager and group parts manager, said: “We’ve worked with Telford College over many years, delivering talks to students and taking a number of them on work placements.

“It’s an arrangement that works for both parties - giving them a chance to find out what we are all about, and allowing us to offer employment to ones we are most impressed with.

“There’s a shortage of skilled staff out there right now and recruitment is difficult, so we see the opportunity to ‘grow our own’ with the help of the college really is an investment for the future. We’ve been working more closely with the college over the past four or five years, and it’s been a really good partnership for us.”

Krystian Drag – a self-confessed car enthusiast - started with Furrows in 2023 after completing level 2 and 3 automotive courses at Telford College’s Wellington campus.

The former Hadley Learning Community student said: “I always knew I wanted a job connected with cars because of my dad who is also a mechanic. I knew exactly what I wanted to do in college after finishing school.

“The college taught you the basics and the theory and was a really good introduction. I knew exactly how to use diagnostic equipment when I started here because of the work we did in college. But you still continue learning a lot when you get a job, particularly in the first 12 months, and that’s something I really enjoy.”

Declan Dunn, another former HLC student, is also a technician alongside Krystian. He completed his level one, two and three automotive qualifications at Telford College.

“I found the college studies really useful,” Declan said. “Working with individual technicians during our first six months of probation was valuable. Managers are really helpful, willing to step in when you need it. 

“Doing work experience at Furrows during our time at Telford College was also helpful, because it gave us a clearer idea of what to expect.

“Although we are stripping gearboxes, realigning clutches and doing other practical tasks at college which has its own training workshops, there is always going to be a difference between a workplace and college experience.”

He said there were ‘lots of opportunities for promotion’ and career development at Furrows.

Jonathon Laybourne, a former Charlton School student, secured a job in the accident repair department at Furrows in Telford after completing his college studies.

He said: “Painting cars is an incredibly satisfying job, because you can see the impact of your work when it’s done.”

Usman Afzal works on commercial vehicles, and also completed his level 2 and 3 automotive courses at Telford College.

The former HLC student said: “You can’t fully prepare for life in the workshop when you are dealing with real customers’ vehicles, but the college does a pretty good job.

“They’ve got vehicles, ramps and other equipment that we find in the workplace, but there’s an extra level of responsibility when you know the vehicle belongs to a real-life customer where their van could be their business, and their livelihood.

“What do I enjoy most about my job? I just enjoy taking things apart, gaining an understanding of how everything fits together, and giving the customer a level of reassurance they the work will be done to a high standard.”

Pictured: Jonathon Laybourne at Furrows in Telford