AN automotive technician is on a fast track to success after securing an apprenticeship with one of the world’s sportiest car brands.
Darlington College student James Schofield has been taken on a three-year apprenticeship with luxury car makers Porsche, where he is already coming into contact with classics worth more than £1m.
The 19-year-old, of Middleton-in-Teesdale, spends a day at Darlington College studying a L3 NVQ in motor vehicle maintenance and the rest of the week at JCT600’s flagship dealership in Preston Farm, Stockton.
There he is currently sharing the workshop with a collector’s dream supercar, the 918 Spyder, said to be worth more than £1.2m and classic 911s valued at up to £600,000.
“When I was a teenager the dream car on my bedroom wall was a Porsche RS,” said James, who secured the apprenticeship after impressing staff during a period of work experience at Porsche Centre Teesside.
“This is an absolutely fantastic place to start my career, particularly as JCT600 sell multiple luxury brands including Maserati, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lotus and Bentley. It is proving so rewarding that they come into the workshop requiring attention and leave perfect.”
Porsche service manager Tim Copeland said: “James is an exceptional young man who has shown great commitment, maturity and passion for the job.
“We were very impressed with him on work experience as he asked to come back once a week off his own back which was to his credit. He shows the right attitude and character and has instantly fitted into the business well.”
Darlington College tutor Dave Hobson added: “James deserves every success as he is motivated, hardworking and keen to learn. He is a great example of what can be achieved with the right mind-set and this opportunity with Porsche is an incredible start to his apprenticeship.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.