Hero photograph
Lachlan McCambridge Vaughan Motors
 
Photo by Marian Mehrtens

Gateway Profile - Lachlan McCambridge

Marian Mehrtens —

I am registered with MITO and I am completing the Ignition Programme. I do the theory work through an online portal and the practical assessments are completed in the workplace. When complete I will have an Automotive Micro-credential (20 credits) which will count towards a future apprenticeship.

Before starting Gateway this year I was nervous and didn’t know if I had chosen the right path to go down and didn’t really know what gateway would entail. I was interested in automotive vehicles and cars and really wanted to see what it would be like working in an automotive workshop and what day-to-day life would be like. To see what it would be like as a career before deciding whether to go to University or something else

The careers I researched were Welder, Mechanical Engineer, Automotive Technician, Automotive Electrician and Automotive Mechanic.

The taster days I trialed wereAutomotive Electrician at Stan's Auto Electrical, Engineering/Welding at Bleeker and Weith and Automotive Mechanic at Vaughan Motors.

I decided to do my work placement at Vaughan Motors Timaru as an Automotive Mechanic, they are one of the best shops in Timaru and exactly the type of workshop I would want to work in so it was a no brainer.

I really enjoy doing my work experience at Vaughan Motors as the environment and people there are fantastic to learn from and talk with to gain knowledge about automotive vehicles. It is really enjoyable as you get to solve problems and find a solution, the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment of fixing vehicles is a great feeling and something I really enjoy about it. I mainly observe and take in knowledge whilst also assisting them in their work along with doing easy tasks such as oil and filter change, changing a tyre and wheel and fluid changing (servicing).

My plans next year are to try and get an apprenticeship in Automotive Mechanics or possibly going to University if it doesn't work out.