Newbury College Motor Vehicle student, Lailah Massey Smith, has secured an in-house apprenticeship with Group 1 Ford Newbury after impressing staff during a short work experience placement.
Lailah is in her final year of the Motor Vehicle Level 2 Diploma course at Newbury College. Her placement gave her the opportunity to experience life in a busy dealership and work alongside skilled technicians in the workshop.
During her time with Group 1 Ford Newbury, Lailah observed and supported technicians with recalls, routine maintenance, and removing and refitting parts. She also saw how job cards are completed and communicated with the parts advisor about new parts.
The placement helped Lailah understand how a dealership works and the procedures involved in completing tasks safely and effectively. It also gave her valuable experience in diagnosing issues and knowing what to look for when working on vehicles.
Lailah said: “The atmosphere was very memorable. Everyone was welcoming.
“I felt that the people I worked with had confidence in my ability and gave me lots of opportunities to learn.”
Like many students taking their first steps into industry, Lailah found the experience challenging at first.
She added: “I found it quite intimidating knowing I could make mistakes, but I made sure not to put too much pressure on myself and focused as much as possible.
“The placement helped me understand what to expect in a workplace and gave me more confidence in my ability.”
Lailah’s positive attitude, enthusiasm and commitment made a strong impression on the team at Group 1 Ford Newbury. She was offered an apprenticeship and will start with the company in early August.
Arron Short, of Group 1 Ford Newbury, said: “Lailah worked alongside the technicians in the workshop, learning new skills and gaining experience.
“We ask students what they want to get out of their visit and try to adjust our training to accommodate this. Lailah asked to come back in for further days of experience, and I have offered her an apprenticeship based on her positive experience here.”
Group 1 Ford Newbury supports students through work placements and helps them explore career routes in the motor industry.
Arron added: “We like to support the local community, and, in turn, we can identify the best candidates for future roles.”
Newbury College works closely with local employers to give students the skills, confidence and experience they need to progress. This approach supports the College’s ethos “Careers, not courses”, making sure students are prepared for real opportunities in industry.
Lailah’s journey shows how a meaningful work placement can open the door to an apprenticeship and a future career.
To find out more about Motor Vehicle courses at Newbury College, visit newbury-college.ac.uk