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Ash Automotive – Our Apprenticeship Experience 

15 January 2025
Ash Automotive, a garage based in Broadstairs, is a great example of a small business that has benefitted from partnering with EKC Training.

Ash Automotive, a garage based in Broadstairs, is a great example of a small business that has benefitted from partnering with EKC Training.  

John Bean, the sole trader and owner of Ash Automotive, has dedicated the last decade to building his business from the ground up. Initially running the business full-time single-handedly, John has since trained and developed numerous apprentices over the years.  

Currently, he hires Kenny Payne, a Level 3 Motor Vehicle Technician Apprentice, to help run the garage and assist with day-to-day tasks.  

Kenny studies one day per week in the Automotive department at EKC Canterbury College, spending the other four days in the garage at Ash Automotive with John.We spoke to them both about their experiences of Apprenticeships, and how they have benefitted by working with EKC Training. 

Kenny Payne – Level 3 Vehicle Technician Apprentice at Ash Automotive 

 

What do you enjoy about the apprenticeship? 

“I really enjoy everything about the apprenticeship because I get to work on a variety of cars. Day-to-day, we handle regular services, maintenance, and bodywork, alongside car restorations. I work closely with clients and John and get to learn more about the world of motor vehicles. 

I was glad that John took a chance on me and can help me develop alongside the one day a week that I study at College.” 

What does your typical day look like as an Apprentice? 

“The majority of my day at the garage I will be working on practical jobs, as there’s always a car that needs repairing or restoring. I enjoy getting stuck in though, so this is always good for me. 

I spend one day at EKC Canterbury College from 9 to 5, and the other four days working here at Ash Automotive, and I’ll get the opportunity to work the occasional Saturday if needed. 

When I’m at College, my mornings are filled with theory sessions, where I get to learn new skills and think about how to put these into practice. This is followed by practical workshop tasks where I focus on my portfolio and try to apply theory knowledge from earlier in the day. This balance allows me to meet new friends and talk to other students about the work I do.” 

 

What’s been your biggest achievement in the role? 

“My biggest achievement so far has been working on a Volkswagen T2 Camper. It came in looking a bit worse-for-wear, but left looking brand new after we completed the restoration. We also rebuilt the engine on another model of this vehicle, which was incredibly rewarding and exciting. I really love working on classic cars and it was great to be able to work on vehicles like this, which I may not get the opportunity to do in a larger garage where there would be more staff.” 

What would you say to someone considering an Apprenticeship? 

“It’s definitely worth it. The qualification at the end is valuable and employers want that. I’ve just entered my second year of the three-year course. While I haven’t fully decided on my future plans yet, I’d be happy to stay in this role, or I could even consider attending university.” 

What do you really love about being an apprentice? 

“I love that I’ve been able to learn so much during my apprenticeship. I’d say John has been a fantastic mentor. He’s always there to answer my questions and guide me. The College also encourages us to ensure our work meets a high standard, which has been helpful in developing my skills. It’s nice to know that my work is valued. 

I also love the fact that I get to work on older, classic vehicles—they’re my favourite type of car.” 

John Bean | Owner of Ash Automotive 

 

Why did you hire Kenny as your apprentice? 

“I’ve had apprentices before, and while you can start businesses like these on your own, you quickly realise the need for assistance as your workload increases. I met Kenny through a mutual friend when I was looking for someone to join the team, and he seemed really interested in the work and was eager to learn, so we arranged for him to complete his apprenticeship with EKC Training.” 

How has Kenny developed during his time as an apprentice?  

“When Kenny first started, he didn’t know much about cars, which is completely normal. With the right interest and determination, you can build that knowledge easily. Since joining us, Kenny has made significant progress. He’s now handling tasks like brake work and paperwork with ease. His reliability has made him an asset to my team.” 

What’s been the best part about hiring an apprentice?  

“Teaching Kenny the practical skills that’ll he needs for his future. Whether he wants to move on to another role or staying with me after the apprenticeship, he’ll be ready for it. I believe in an old-school approach to teaching. You must experience things for yourself to truly understand them. Kenny’s picked this up well and now I can trust him to do the bigger jobs by himself.” 

 

Would you recommend hiring an apprentice? 

“I would highly recommend hiring an apprentice, as they can be someone that has lots of interest and desire to build a career in your field, just like Kenny. Based on my experience, I will certainly employ other apprentices in the future. I hope what I’ve shared with Kenny will stay with him for life, and he can continue to work on lots of different vehicles.” 

Thank you to John and Kenny from Ash Automotive for sharing their experiences. 

Did you know that partnering with EKC Training is a great way for you to develop your staff and new employees through apprenticeships? 

You can learn more about apprenticeships and the team’s FREE recruitment service here.