Super Student Builds Super-Car!
Simon has been working in the Motor Vehicle trade for around five years – he completed the 2 year Apprenticeship with HCT’s Training Division in 2009 and decided to progress further and study for the one year Advanced Apprenticeship.
Simon has had a busy 12 months, he has successfully completed the Advanced Apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle Engineering and was the first to finish from a class of twelve, has built his own EJ9 Honda Civic Sport which was sponsored by Hybrid Racing and MeisterR and featured in Banzai magazine, plus won the Outstanding Achievement Award (Engineering) Shield at the College’s recent Faculty Awards evening.
Simon is clearly very proud of his Civic which has been lovingly built with no end of modifications and adaptations, including a JDM-spec K20A DOHC 16 v i-VTEC engine that offers around 240bhp. Simon enjoys both track days and showing his pride and joy but made it clear he is no boy racer!
Simon studied for his A-levels and achieved excellent grades but his passion was working with cars. He had been working as a Mechanic during the holidays for several years before seeking a full-time position. Simon was already in employment when he approached HCT and found out more about the apprenticeship scheme. He wanted to gain qualifications whilst working and enjoys the balance the apprenticeship programme offers. Simon commented “It is really good at the College with the new facilities; it is a nice environment to learn in. I just prefer practical learning and enjoy spending four days a week in the garage, where I can put it all into practice”. Mike Preece, Simon’s Training Co-ordinator added “Simon is an enthusiastic, hardworking student who is always looking to learn and extend his knowledge and skills; he will go a long way in the Industry”.
Now employed by GB Motor Services in Ross-on-Wye, Simon is encouraged to continue to learn and is regularly sent on training courses to keep him up to speed with the latest equipment and technology. “They are a progressive garage and support me with the apprenticeship” he said. When asked about the future, Simon commented “I have always wanted to work with cars. I am thinking about University but would want to pay for it myself, without a loan, so will see how my career pans out. I am hoping to work on performance vehicles in the future, if the right opportunity comes along.”
