Levi Flanders is the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for February 2023.
The 19-year-old is in the third year of his Light Vehicle apprenticeship with Rockhampton VW and is proving to be a top-notch employee and student, impressing with his enthusiasm for both the work and training, with his employer stating that Levi “has been an inspiration not only to the other apprentices but to the more experienced mechanics also with his positive attitude and willingness to learn.”
Having been interested in cars since he was a young lad, and encouraged to take opportunities and seek out experiences when they arose, Levi successfully applied for the apprenticeship with Rockhampton VW after completing Year 11 at school.
“I’d always been into cars,” he said. “My stepdad had a Clubsport and my dad also wanted me to get used to all aspects of life – mechanical, being outdoors, working hard and so on – so I’ve always been around, and wanted to work on, cars.”
This appreciation for cars, coupled with a decent work ethic, has proved to be something of gamechanger for Levi who had got himself into some trouble in his youth. However, thanks in great part to a supportive employer and teammates, he managed to avoid travelling any further down that potentially damaging road.
“At the time around when I started the apprenticeship, I was hanging around with the wrong crowd, getting into some mischievous stuff and it took me a bit to realise what I was doing and change the way I was acting,” said Levi. “And that was mainly because of the boys in the workshop. It feels like a family. They were always there to support me and it changed my mindset. They treat you like you are one of their own and, no matter what you do, if you are truthful and respectful towards them you get the same treatment back.”
Today, Levi’s attention is fully on becoming the best mechanic he can be, and he gets that opportunity at the Rockhampton VW workshop. The business also comprises MG and LDV dealerships and also sells used vehicles, so Levi has the opportunity to work on a wide range of vehicles, as well as being exposed to the latest automotive technology in the form of the battery-electric cars from MG.
While he still has plenty of training to do with regards to electric vehicle technology, the exposure to them now is, he invaluable, and he is excited about the direction the industry is taking.
“Because MG already has an electric car on the market, we are involved with them a little bit,” he said. “I have worked on one, but because of the high-voltage I haven’t been able to fully go through it. But I am excited to learn anything and everything about cars and learn more and get better every day. Whatever gets thrown at me I take on and do to the best of my ability.”
While Levi has only 18 months or so left before completion of his apprenticeship, he is not thinking too far ahead when it comes to what his next career steps might be. Instead, he is keen to focus instead on improving his skills and becoming a better mechanic.
“I hope I’ll be still working here because I do love it,” he said when asked where his career might take him in a few years time. “However, if I am not here, then hopefully I am somewhere still doing the best I can and trying to get better.”
The MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month is proudly sponsored by Spirit Super.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (Mar 2023)
13 March 2023
