My son did an apprenticeship later…

After leaving school following GCSEs, Tom took time to find his path.

My son Tom was always a good lad, but when he was still young his Mum and I went through a divorce. Although he wanted to stay with me, his mother got custody. Sadly, at the age of 14, his Mum died and he came home to me. Despite this, he did very well in his GCSEs.

Tom always wanted to go into the motor trade like me but he found it difficult to get a job. So over the next few years he had a couple of jobs. For a few years a dead-end job at a local hardware and tool shop. Being such a nice lad and working well with old folks, he then found a job at a local care home. He worked there for about three years.

Although he liked it and was good at it, he still wanted to go to work in the auto trade. Tom applied for several apprenticeships without much luck. He kept at it though, and eventually he found an apprenticeship advert for Honda with the help of the Job Centre.

Tom was shortlisted from loads of applicants down to the last four. He had to go through interviews at the local Honda garage. They were all nice people and he came across well. Working at the care home meant he was really good at working with people and it showed.

After that, Tom was shortlisted again. He had another interview at Honda in Slough. He was 21 years old at that point, but I was very proud and happy for him because he got the apprenticeship!

The Honda Institute invited us as parents down with the apprentices and we got to stay in a local hotel so we didn’t have to drive back that night. The senior manager made a point to come out to talk to us. They’re such a caring company and there was no doubt he would do well with them.

He is now 22 and progressing all the time. He works at the local Honda garage and they really look after our son. He goes down to Honda for more training all the time. In fact, he is going down to see the manufacturing site this month.

I think it’s great he got this sorted. It took time, but it is the best thing for him. Now he is 22, the garage manager said he can drive any car he likes because of the insurance age. He can walk to work, but he has a great car as well! I keep asking him to get his Dad a job there too!