“I’m currently doing an apprenticeship with Toyota, and I’m really enjoying it. At school, I was always told that the only option was university, but after doing my own research, I realised a degree apprenticeship was the right route for me.
A lot of my teachers used to say apprenticeships were just about serving coffees and sitting in the background, not actually doing anything – but that’s far from the truth. I’ve been hands-on from the very start.
One of the best things about my job is the people. Everyone is welcoming and supportive – they don’t just walk past you; they stop and chat. That kind of environment makes such a difference. I’ve also been pushed outside my comfort zone in a good way. For example, I struggle sometimes with speaking to large crowds, but I was given the chance to present to one of my senior managers. With lots of guidance on how to present properly in a business, it became a positive experience.
One big misconception is that the automotive industry is just full of older men. That’s not true at all – there’s a real mix of people here, which helps drive innovation. With the industry changing so much through new technologies and new laws, it’s important that young people have their voices heard too.
It might look like “just a car company” from the outside, but there’s so much more to it. If you’ve just left school and don’t know what you want to do (I was like that), my advice is to give an apprenticeship a go – you won’t regret it. Compared to other jobs, I feel like there’s a real career path waiting for me, and I’m excited about the future.”
