Adam Ebdom-Parry explains to Elizabeth Howlett how he went from a university degree in automotive engineering to becoming one of Stagecoach’s apprentices of the year
As a child, the go-to present for Adam was always a Meccano or K’NEX set. Anything that involved building would hold his attention for hours. He has since rebuilt his own Yamaha R6 motorbike from the wheels up. His focus remained the same when he completed his A-Levels in 2010, leading him to study a Lancaster University accredited degree in automotive engineering.
He graduated with a 2:2 in July 2014. In the space of three months, Adam was taking the first steps to becoming an award-winning Mech/elec (mechanical electronics) apprentice at Stagecoach’s Sharston depot, Manchester.
School subjects
Adam knew that he wanted a job doing something he loved, and engineering was the obvious choice. At GCSE he chose Physics, Maths and Information Technology (IT). When it came to picking his A-Level subjects, Adam visited the school career officer. Adam explained: “The careers officer was really helpful. I was given all the information that I would need, advised on what subjects to study and the grades required.”
Adam passed his A-Levels in Further Maths and Physics, and once again visited the careers officer for the last step of his journey – further education.
“I was given information for university open days and a better understanding of the engineering courses out there,” he recalled. “It wasn’t until I went to an open day at Lancaster University that [wlm_nonmember][…]
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“They took us around the university in small groups, and we were shown the workshop. There were different vehicles set up in the bays, with current students working on them and demonstrating the kind of skills we would learn.”
Application process
When Adam left university he took a position designing automotive parts for a small company. “I really liked the work but I just couldn’t sit at a desk all day designing things on a computer,” he said. “I wanted to be working with my hands like I was at university. I much preferred the manual work, so I went in search of more varied roles.”
He turned to his parents for advice and his dad came up with a solution: “My dad was a mechanical apprentice for GM Buses in 1979, and he suggested that I have a look at public transport. We talked about his experience studying for his mechanic’s apprenticeship and before I knew it, I was researching the current opportunities with the major operators.
“Dad reminded me that there is always going to be public transport, and with an apprenticeship there will always be progression routes so that an individual can work their way up – if they are prepared to put the work in. There is lots of opportunity and room to grow, adapt and change.
“I had a look at the application forms for other operators, but Stagecoach really stood out for me. One of the main reasons was that they didn’t seem to mind about my age. A lot of companies are very rigid about the age of their apprentices, but Stagecoach didn’t come across as though they were concerned about that. Usually apprentices aged 16-24 have their training funded by the Government, but due to my age and my degree, many companies just were not considering applicants like me.
“The application forms convinced me even more. They were all asking about me as a person, not just about my achievements or my qualifications. They really wanted to get a grasp on what I was like and my willingness to learn.
“I was sent a form to fill in with questions about my hobbies and interests. I was invited in for an aptitude test in basic Maths, English and Mechanical Comprehension. Then I was invited for a formal interview.”
Adam waited two weeks for Stagecoach to respond with a final answer. He explained: “I was taking my friend to the airport. I was supposed to be going away with him on holiday to Greece, but I cancelled last minute. I didn’t want them trying to contact me while I was abroad.
“Just as I had dropped him, they called me to let me know I had been successful and had been given a place on their Mech/elec apprenticeship.
“I was over the moon, and my dad was chuffed to bits. I was glad I got the call then to say I had the job. I might have missed out on a holiday but it was worth it.”
The apprenticeship
Working 0800hrs to 1600hrs from Monday to Friday, Stagecoach apprentices will attend college for a week, six or seven times a year. This will equip them with the knowledge necessary to undertake practical jobs in the workshop. The apprentices keep a logbook with a list of jobs that a mentor must sign off, and an assessor from the college will attend the workshop every three months, to keep a check on how the apprentice handles themselves in the work place against, health and safety requirements and their skills learnt. Adam will complete his apprenticeship in four years’ time.
An average working week
When Adam recalled his first day, he said he felt nervous but eager to get started: “I had heard of tricks being played on apprentices. I wasn’t about to fall for a glass hammer or fork handles joke, but luckily none were played on me.
“Being an apprentice was a big learning curve for me. It was weird standing and watching as I’m used to getting stuck in and learning by doing. Now I am taking a step back and re-learning things, but it’s necessary. It has expanded my interests because at first I thought everything would be similar to automotive engineering. Once I got to learn about the layout of the buses and some of the engineering I realised how different it is.”
The structure of the apprenticeship changed to include electrical work, ensuring that everyone was multi-skilled, but Adam relished in the opportunity to learn more.
“When I originally applied it was that you had to choose between mechanical and electrical. I picked mechanics because I already knew that,” he said. “I was happy when they changed the apprenticeship, as it gave me a chance to experience electrical matters as well. I am not scared of a challenge, and it gives me a better understanding of the vehicles as a whole. It’s much easier than I thought. I enjoy the opportunity to learn about the different sensors and how they work, or how the wiring is set up in a bigger scale vehicle.”
Adam is now getting the varied role he hoped for and his weekly work is far from average. Every day is an opportunity to learn, as he explained: “New technologies are coming out all the time. Stop-start technology and hybrid buses have been amongst the latest developments. I am learning about the hybrid system and how that links into the mechanical side. Alexander Dennis is always releasing new software that reads information from the gearbox or the engine.
“My role is varied from one day to the next. I could be given an MOT to work on and ensure that it is tested and repaired. If a bus breaks down on the roads, those repairs will take priority. I was initially given jobs like cleaning wheels but due to my eagerness I have been given lots of other opportunities. I could be fixing the ABS, suspension, airbags or steering components. I could even be changing tyres. No day is ever the same.”
Apprentice of the Year
“My favourite moment at Stagecoach so far, has to be winning Apprentice of the Year in 2015,” enthused Adam.
“The ceremony was held at Manchester City Stadium and is hosted by Stagecoach every year. They pick one apprentice from every year group, and I was chosen. At first I was shocked as I won the award for Best College Results and Best Garage Results, but I had no idea that I would be nominated for apprentice of the year. I was really proud.
“The awards are a great idea. It gives you something to aim for, and it’s nice to be appreciated. I felt a sense of achievement. I was given a trophy and £500 which I used to rebuild my motorbike. I would like to thank my manager, Mark Povall for all his support.”
Advice to hopeful apprentices
Asked if he had any thoughts or advice for other apprentices or anyone considering that type of career, Adam replied: “My advice to anyone hoping to do an apprenticeship is to try to do well in GCSEs and don’t be afraid to learn new things.
“Some apprentices give up when they are given a job they don’t like, but you have to accept the varied parts of the role and take the rough with the smooth. It’s better to learn all aspects of the job, than only know certain parts. The most important thing I learned on the job was to ask questions all the time. If I could go back, I would ask a lot more.
“I’m glad I’ve got a degree but wish I had done it the other way around, so I did my apprenticeship first because I would come out of university with a range of skills and experience.”
Hopes for the future
Commenting on his future ambitions, Adam said: “Stagecoach has operations in the USA and Canada, so it would be interesting to see how the industry runs overseas. I think learning about the maintenance of vehicles and how they’re regulated.
“It would be invaluable and incredibly interesting. They have different types of vehicles in other parts of the world. Expanding my current knowledge on how they work would be an amazing opportunity.”[/wlm_ismember]
