ANDY MASON
Workshop Development Manager, Volvo Group UK Limited
By the time I was 14 I’d already decided to go into the Motor Industry. My father, grandfather and numerous members of my family have all had lifetime careers in the Motor Industry, so you could say it was in my blood!
At the age of 15 I did my work experience with a company called Carlisle Commercials, which further confirmed my decision to take this career route, and ultimately drove me to achieve the required GCSE grades, which were needed to get onto the Volvo Apprentice Scheme.
Carlisle Commercials, which is now called Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North, agreed to put me through the Apprenticeship scheme and this meant I studied at Stephenson College for two weeks out of every six. I preferred to study this way because it enabled me to focus on developing my product knowledge for two solid weeks, rather than being on a one-day release scheme – where you only get one day a week to learn.
After graduating from the Volvo Apprenticeship scheme, I agreed with my employer to go onto further education and study for a HNC qualification which entailed a further two years of college work, but at the same time I was offered a new role of Training Advisor in the Technical Training Centre at the Volvo Headquarters in Warwick.
In 2005 I was successful in getting the position of Development Trainer for Truck Sales, which meant I was responsible for developing the sales network with product information and managing other key areas of skills. In 2006 I was promoted to the new role of Commercial Training Advisor which encompassed development for the Aftermarket Business. Towards the end of 2006, I applied for and was successful in getting my current role of Workshop Development Manager which involves developing the workshops with new ways of working, and advising best ways to achieve 95% utilisation and efficiency of 105%.
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