In the lead up to the expected annual hype of the Leaving Cert results and CAO offers for third level course, Frank Byrnes, of Frank Byrnes Autobody Repairs, Oranmore is giving some guidance on the choice of careers in the motor industry and explains the ins and outs of beginning a mechanic or Autobody repair apprenticeship.

In June this year, Frank was invited as a guest-speaker to schools and in September he will give presentations in association with the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) to secondary school students in the west of Ireland, highlighting the potential of employment in the motor industry.

The total employment in the motor industry stood at 40,600 in the final quarter of 2015 and in Q1 2016 most SIMI members said their staffing levels had increased. The motor industry also makes a significant contribution to the labour market through the apprenticeship system. At the end of 2015, 760 apprentices were registered, which is 25.8% higher than 2014.

Frank qualified initially as a mechanic at the age of twenty and went on to study business and IT. Using the combination of experience and skills along with his entrepreneurial talents, he saw a niche in the market to develop a well-tuned process driven, customer oriented Autobody repairs service. He comments, “There are several ways of gaining some experience and developing contacts in the industry, firstly enquire about doing an internship, unpaid work experience or doing work-shadow days in garages, autobody repair workshops or motor dealers.” He adds, “A good candidate for an apprenticeship shows they have a keen interest in cars and how they work and can show they have built up knowledge in this regard. A business owner will be impressed if you can show you have built up a store of knowledge about cars and how they work through research, buying magazines, or following updates on auto websites. A good candidate displays they are alert, energetic, enthusiastic, interested and willing to do anything from sweeping the floor to work-shadowing.”

Motor Mechanic and Autobody Repairs Apprenticeships are available to candidates that are at least 16 years old and have passed five subjects in the Junior Cert, although Leaving Cert candidates are likely to be favoured. The employer must register their apprentice with SOLAS within 2 weeks of starting. The duration of an apprenticeship is a minimum of four years, where the apprentice spends phases of training and development, four on-the-job and three off-the-job and results in a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft which is an internationally recognised qualification.