After making the difficult decision to leave university and pursue a career in the automotive sector, Khash took a few leaps of faith at Enterprise’s commercial vehicle rental business in the UK and Ireland. First, he became a driver, progressed to Vehicle Quality Assessor, and then he decided to retrain as an HGV mechanic on an apprenticeship.

As a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Mechanic Apprentice, Khash is at the beginning of his journey to become a qualified HGV Mechanic.

After college, Khash believed that to succeed, you need to go to university. He joined the University of Bristol to study Biomedical Sciences and spent many hours in lecture halls and at the library. After ten months, Khash couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t the right place for him.

“I love to learn, but university wasn’t the environment for me. I wanted to develop my knowledge in the workplace, rather than a lecture hall.”

That’s when he left university and started his career in the automotive industry. Now, Khash is working in an environment that offers training, professional growth and opportunity.

He is one of the company’s apprentices across the UK who are paid for on-the-job training as well as classroom-based learning. On his three-year programme, Khash will gain an internationally recognised level 3 vocational qualification and invaluable work experience.

FEATURED JOB: Apprenticeships

“The way I look at it, this move is two steps back and five steps forward for my career,” Khash explains.

As an aspiring HGV Automotive Mechanic, Khash is learning how to carry out services, diagnostics and repairs on commercial trucks, vans, forklifts, diggers and trailers. No two days are ever the same, and it requires an innate problem solver to be successful. His curious mind and eagerness to find solutions made him a good fit.

“Becoming an HGV mechanic apprentice means I can learn a trade and follow a clear path for progression,” he says.

Khash’s current focus is on becoming an expert in his field and he follows the mantra ‘practice makes perfect’ in his day-to-day work. Already, he is becoming more efficient and often takes the lead. “I feel proud when I’m able to offer a solution to a complex problem. I can see the value that I bring to the team and I’m growing more confident each day.”

READ: Why choose an apprenticeship with Enterprise over university

Being surrounded by people whom he considers coaches, mentors and inspirations in his career is helping him to thrive.

For Khash, it’s not just about the work, it’s about having fun while doing it. He describes the environment as relaxed and friendly, and even jokes about the benefit of not having to wear a suit!

Reflecting on his unconventional career path, Khash realised that a university degree is not the only route for a successful career. “Sometimes you need to follow your gut, take a different path from those around you, and trust that it will all work out,” he says.

Khash has three words for his career so far: “What a journey!”

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