Jed Hermans is new to the automotive industry – he started a Toyota Pro Technician apprenticeship at Horsham Motor Company on Monday.

Finishing school at the end of year-11, Mr Hermans worked at Horsham Cyclery until an opportunity came up at Horsham Motor Company to begin an apprenticeship.

Working under service manager Tony Cunningham, Mr Hermans is following in his father’s footsteps – Peter was a salesman at the company.

The 18-year-old will attend trade school at Toyota in Altona five or six times a year, with learning blocks varying between two and five days in length.

Mr Cunningham said Mr Hermans was the second apprentice at the company, and both have the choice of pathways and promotion at the business.

“We have had a bit of movement in the workshop lately – we’ve lost a couple of technicians, so I’ve put my car cleaner up to be the accessory fitter,” he said.

“It’s the same path I took. I started about 12 years ago in the wash bay and worked my way up to accessory fitter, then I was service advisor for seven years, and now I’ve been in the manager’s role for five weeks.”

A former St Brigid’s College student, Mr Hermans’ apprenticeship is managed by Skillinvest.

“I’m looking forward to being able to look at an engine bay and know exactly what I’m looking at,” he said.

– Bronwyn Hastings

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