DLG Auto Services’ Nemhoy McCooty named Thatcham Research Apprentice Mentor of the Year

• Apprentice Mentor of the Year Award celebrates the positive impact mentors have on apprentices while on their ‘learner journey’
• Paterson’s Adam Brown awarded second place and Solus Warrington’s George Roberts third

Nemhoy McCooty of DLG Auto Services Birmingham has been named Thatcham Research Apprentice Mentor of the Year 2019 at the British Bodyshop Awards.

Nominated by his MET Tech apprentice Cameron Holland, McCooty was presented with the Mentor of the Year Award in front of 900 repair industry guests.

Nigel Scholes, Technical Support at DLG Auto Services commented, “We are very proud of Nemhoy and delighted that he has been recognised for his dedication. Mentors play such a significant role when it comes to teaching apprentices and awards like these enable the recognition deserved for the time and commitment spent passing on valuable experience and knowledge to other technicians. As the UK's largest network of body shops, we will keep on investing in mentoring programmes so we can prepare for the industry of the future.”

The award recognises the vital role a mentor plays in an apprentice’s professional and personal development, with Holland highlighting McCooty’s dedication, wealth of experience, help and support towards team members in the winning submission.

Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research said, “The role of a mentor is vital in helping to shape and guide apprentices on their learner journey. Nemhoy, Adam and George demonstrate the qualities that make an outstanding mentor including nurturing, motivating and encouraging new apprentices. Earning the respect of an apprentice is no easy feat, but Nemhoy, Adam and George have all achieved this. We offer our congratulations to Nemhoy on becoming the 2019 Apprentice Mentor of the Year.

“We would encourage other senior technicians to support the next generation and consider becoming a mentor.”

Solus Warrington’s runner-up, George Roberts, scooped the Apprentice Mentor of the Year Award in both 2017 and 2018, and has previously won the MET Technician of the Year.

He commented, “Many people, especially those at a young age, only see the mechanical side of the industry – they assume fixing a car is just mechanical. When my first apprentice joined he had a two-week release from school and got to see all aspects of the workshop. That really intrigued him and he went on to become an apprentice and qualify as an MET technician. It’s really valuable to show people what the Bodyshop industry is about so they see what an interesting and rewarding career it is.

“Winning these awards has created a buzz amongst the staff, apprentices and the technicians. They see the glam and glitter that goes into these events and they realise that their work is appreciated and important.”

Over 1,550 apprentices have trained at Thatcham Research’s state-of-the-art Automotive Academy since 2004, with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) recently confirming the Academy’s 92% score for its apprenticeship training Qualification Achievement Rates (QAR).

The Automotive Academy offers exciting new career opportunities, exposing apprentices to the latest vehicles and technology whilst learning the latest technical repair methods to keep vehicles and road users safe.

Apprentice intake at Thatcham Research will start in September 2019, with spaces available in Paint, panel and MET disciplines. Instructor-led training takes place over eight one-week blocks supported by online digital training material and face-to-face assessor visits and surgeries.

Please call 01635 293174 or email customerservices@thatcham.org for more information.

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