With a focus on the next generation of automotive talent, this month’s ARC360 on-demand webinARC met three individuals who are all thriving in very different roles within the sector.
Taking part in this one-off session were Adam Daloub, Operations Manager Credit Hire & Recoveries, Carpenters Group; Elyse Bell, UK & Ireland Account Specialist, Entegral; and Matt Turner, Multi-Skilled Accident Repair Technician, Gemini ARC.
They shared their experiences, early impressions of the industry, and offered telling advice for those coming up behind them.
In their owns words, let’s hear their stories:
Adam Daloub:
“It was purely by luck I ended up in the industry. I studied law at university and applied for various law jobs after qualifying, and just fell into motor, specifically credit hire.
In my first role I used to monitor hire and ensure that period is recoverable. I then progressed to negotiating outstanding payments and then into litigation, where I was a defendant litigator. That meant I was on the side of the insurer and would see what was recoverable and proportionate and then negotiate offers.
I joined Carpenters four years and now I’m on the claimant side, and it definitely helps having worked both sides of the argument.
One thing I’ve learned is that this is a fast-paced industry and quick decision-making is key. No matter how strong your argument is, everything is down to documented evidence so you have to be realistic. You can’t afford to hold on to arguments you can’t win.
I’d also say that being a good communicator is key. It’s probably the most important thing, because you’re in the industry for a long time and you want to build relationships with your opponents. So being able to communicate and find a middle ground is really important.
And you have to be patient with your career. Carpenters provides the right development and training and offers a clear career development path. It also has a policy of promoting from within so the opportunities to progress will come, but that’s only if you have the right attitude.”
Elyse Bell:
“I graduated from university and came through the Enterprise Graduate Management Trainee Scheme. It was great, you learn every aspect of business and even get the opportunity to run your own business. Enterprise also offers a very structured career path after graduation and that was very attractive.
I went from assistant manager to manager, and then about a year ago I moved to Entegral. I’d learned during the scheme that my strengths were in account management and that was something I wanted pursue, and I’m grateful that I’ve had a lot of support and training along the way. I was also given an individual mentor through Enterprise’s Women in Rental, a scheme to support women progress in the workplace.
One of the things I like best about working at Entegral is its focus on young people. It has really embraced the next generation, and the diversity in age and its willingness to put its trust in youth to make big decisions is not something you see everywhere. It’s very empowering.
That’s actually similar to the best piece of advice I was given. When I was facing a challenge, I was asked, ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’. I think that applies to both your personal and professional life, and it give you the confidence to aim high.”
Matt Turner:
“I did an apprenticeship in construction first and it was a bad experience. Apprentices were treated in quite an old-fashioned way so I decided to move to motor, and the Gemini apprenticeship completely eclipsed my previous experience.
It was more flexible with lots of encouragement to progress and make the most of yourself, so you can tell Gemini values their apprentices as future technicians rather than just cheap labour.
It is a three-year apprenticeship but took me five because of Covid-19, and it is very structured with different phases for different disciples – so MET, Panel, Paint and EV – and when you’ve done them all you begin the process again, getting more in-depth and building your skills each time.
You also have block weeks at EMTEC College, where you learn a bit of theory and get the opportunity to practice the skills you might not use every day in the workplace, like repairing aluminium.
I’ve also learned so much from working with technicians who have done the job for 20 years. You have to treat them as a book and read them, because everyone who has helped me has taught me something different.
Looking back, I’d say the best advice I’ve been given is don’t be afraid to push yourself and make mistakes. You learn far more from your mistakes.”
ARC360 would like to thank its Corporate Partners Solera Audatex, BASF, BMS, CAPS, Copart, Emacs, Entegral, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Innovation Group, Mirka, Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance, S&G Response, and Sherwin Williams as well as Partners asTech, The Green Parts Specialist, Indasa and Prasco, and Associate Partners Gemini ARC, Thatcham Research and Trend Tracker.
