ADVERTORIAL: Gloucestershire College apprentice Inigo gears up for his dream job as a mechanic

Inigo Turner was inspired by the Morgan motor cars he saw during childhood visits to his grandparents’ home. So inspired, in fact, that he is turning that passion into his dream job as a mechanic.

Inigo is a second-year motor vehicle service and maintenance technician apprentice and one of the many students to benefit from the expertise of the award-winning Gloucestershire College.

“I have always wanted to be a mechanic and was inspired by the amazing Morgan Motor Company cars I saw in Malvern every time I visited my grandparents,” he said. “I have always enjoyed practical hands-on learning more than the academic side of things.

“Going to college seemed like a good idea and I chose the apprenticeship because it offered a combination of classroom learning and learning on-the-job”

They are skills he is now honing as an apprentice at a local garage and in the classroom – and may even lead to his ultimate dream job, as Inigo explained: “Where I work is quite a small garage, so I had to dive in and be hands-on straight away. I do car diagnostics, replace clutches and do other repairs.

“As much as I enjoy working on cars, I enjoy the college side of things too. We are constantly learning new things, which I can then take back to my employer. My ambition, in addition to becoming a fully qualified mechanic, is to work for my dream employer – Morgan Motors Company. I can say that I am very close to achieving my dream, as I am moving on to become an apprentice with them.”

Inigo is one of hundreds of students taking their first steps on the career ladder with the help of the college which was Gloucestershire’s Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year 2020 and 2021 and is a proud sponsor of GloucestershireLive Apprenticeship Awards 2022. The ceremony will take place at a glittering dinner at Kingsholm Stadium on Thursday, September 22.

“We are proud to partner with over 1,000 of Gloucestershire’s best businesses who have all chosen the apprenticeship route to back local talent, achieve the best outcomes for their business and in the long run, energise the local economy,” explained director of employer training and apprenticeships at GC, Julie Tegg.

“Because of our strong reputation and industry connections, we are able to offer a comprehensive range of apprenticeship programmes across 17 industries from IT, construction and engineering, to hairdressing, care and hospitality. All our programmes cater to immediate and long-term skills needs of local businesses.

“For example, as Cheltenham is rapidly advancing its tech ecosystem, Gloucestershire College is supporting this growth by offering apprenticeships in software, infrastructure, cyber security and network engineering that aim to create a new generation of skilled tech talent for local companies and beyond.

“Apprenticeships provide invaluable learning opportunities to all, from school leavers and career changers to employees wanting to upskill in the field of their choice. Our apprentices benefit from mentorship by seasoned assessor trainers, outstanding facilities and real-life industry experience at their employers.

“We always encourage more businesses to take full advantage of apprenticeships and the amazing opportunities they present to employers and employees alike.”