Hannah Gibson got 11 GCSEs and, from an early age, she always wanted to work with cars – her family own Hilltop Garage in Coleraine. Against her better judgement though, she went down the traditional academic route, did A levels and then went to university.
“It seemed that my wanted their students to go to university, even though university isn’t for everyone. Since I interested in working with cars, I wanted to do something that would involve more ‘hands on’ learning about what I was interested in but, instead I was encouraged by multiple career advisors to complete my A levels and go to university.
“I was told it would be better to keep working with cars as my Plan B as my parents could always train me at a later stage. At the time I was too naïve to follow my heart and make working with cars my plan A.
“I remember being in a class that was solely for helping us to apply for university, so I just picked the subject I was best at and applied to Ulster University to do a degree in Media Studies and Production.”
Hannah admitted this was not what she really wanted to do and realised very early on that the course was not for her:
“But I stuck with it anyway as I don’t like to quit something I start.
“However, after graduation - and spending five years in Higher and Further Education - I still hadn’t achieved the qualifications needed for what I really wanted to do so I decided to get back into education and do what was right for me.”
As a second year motor vehicle apprentice at Northern Regional College in Ballymena, Hannah spends four days each week working in the family business at Hilltop Garage and one day in College, a combination which gives plenty of opportunities to put what she is learns in the classroom into practice.
Hannah added that her apprenticeship has helped develop her motor vehicle skills and knowledge and she now greater confidence in her own ability to work unsupervised. She has also developed other ‘softer’ transferable skills such as communication, working with others as part of a team, all of which are important in the motor vehicle industry and will help her career progression.
She said she would encourage young people to investigate all their options thoroughly so they can make an informed decision.
“I could certainly recommend an apprenticeship as it is an ideal way to combine theory with practical experience.”