Bosch Car Service’s Apprentice and Mentoring Program is making a real difference

In total, 23 Bosch Car Service workshop apprentices from Australia and New Zealand attended the recent Bosch Car Service Apprentice and Mentoring Program at Bosch’s headquarters in Melbourne.
Apprentices were treated to the wise words of many guest speakers including Bosch Oceania President, Gavin Smith, who spoke about how car servicing in the future is going to be very different to how it is today.
Other highlights included insights from Bosch’s own technical and equipment specialists and a look into Bosch’s involvement in Motorsport, followed by a presentation (proudly sponsored by CoolDrive Autoparts) by Kate Harrington, Manager of Blanchard Racing Team.
Apprenticeships Are Us Managing Director, Michael Wentworth, also spoke about the importance and benefits of apprenticeship programs.
Castrol Australia – a major sponsor of the event – invited the apprentices to a sponsored event at Marvel Stadium and also ran a product information session, as did Ryco Filters.
Amongst the attendees were Bree-Ann Jones, Nathan Koutts and Andrew Thatcher.
Growing up, 23-year-old Bree-Anne loved working on cars with her dad and uncles.
“I remember being ten years old and doing timing belts with my dad in the backyard,” Bree said.
“I was so young and was already learning how to do complex tasks. I just loved it! So, after high school, when someone suggested I should pursue a career in the automotive industry, I thought to myself, why not?”
Bree is now a fourth year Bosch Car Service apprentice at Andrew McClure Mechanical in Ipswich, Queensland.
“What I love about my job is that there’s something new every single day,” Bree said.
“I’m working on aging vehicles, and then a 2023 model would come in. I’ve learnt a lot on the latest technological advancements by attending training, such as courses on Electric Vehicles (EVs) and hybrids and I recently jumped at the opportunity to be part of the Bosch Car Service Apprentice and Mentoring Program.”
Second year auto-electrical apprentice Nathan, from Bosch Car Service – Great Lakes Auto Centre in Forster, NSW, says he learned a lot at the Bosch Car Service Apprentice and Mentoring Program, particularly about EVs.
“It definitely broadened my understanding of Bosch as a business and the multiple pathways you can take,” 20-year-old Nathan said.
“It was also good insight into Bosch as a worldwide brand.”
Andrew was one of the mature-age apprentices in his third year at the Bosch Car Service Apprentice and Mentoring Program.
After the pandemic, Andrew decided on a career change and decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, so he joined the automotive industry.
“It is hard not to develop a passion for cars when your dad is a car mechanic”, Andrew said of his father Bernie Thatcher, of Bosch Car Service – Mobile Home Car Service Pty Ltd in Capalaba, QLD.
“I hope to one day take over the family business, but for now I’m certainly enjoying learning the ropes from my father and absorbing the knowledge from industry experts at every opportunity that comes my way!”
The Bosch Car Service Apprentice Program is just one of the many benefits of being part of the Bosch Car Service network.

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