Daisy is JCT600's first female technician at Doncaster Audi who exemplifies resilience, leadership, and dedication.
She excelled academically, achieving distinctions in all EPA assessments, while mentoring peers, coordinating heath and safety, and enhancing team morale.
Overcoming personal challenges, she consistently delivers high-quality work, contributes to KPIs and represents her employer nationally, including at the Houses of Parliament.
Read her story:
Can you tell us about your career journey? What inspired you to join the automotive industry?
Four and a half years ago, I started my apprenticeship with almost no knowledge of cars. I’d finished my A-levels and wanted to come away from the academic route. I found myself watching YouTube videos of cars and I took a chance on an automotive industry apprenticeship.
Within my first year I was confidently carrying out basic jobs on my own whilst also working with a range of technicians which helped me build strong all-round skills. During my apprenticeship I was trusted to take on the role as health as safety co-ordinator which showed my employers confidence in my work. I’ve been a qualified technician for over a year, and I am currently working towards my HVT qualification as well as taking on more complex diagnostic jobs.
My Dad’s interest in cars and YouTube videos is what led me to the career I'm thriving in today and it’s a skill I’ll have forever and be able to use in all aspects of life.
Have you faced any challenges on your journey, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I have faced on my journey is severe dermatitis on my hands. In August 2022 I noticed a small patch of dry skin on one of my fingers. Over the course of a year, it had spread to all my fingers as well as on my hands, palms and wrists. For such a long time there was nothing that gave me much relief and at times I struggled to do my job.
My dermatitis was extremely severe and most of my fingers and hands were covered in patches of deep cracks, blisters and were bleeding. This massively disrupted my life, even whilst I was asleep, which affected me mentally and physically. At times I wasn’t sure if I could continue in my career.
6 months ago, I finally found something that helped me and that was cotton gloves. I now adhere to a strict routine of certain creams and wearing gloves at work and at night and I haven’t had a bad flare up during this time. I’m grateful that I didn’t give up on my career, even when I was struggling day in and day out for almost 2 years.
How do you think being shortlisted for an IMI Award will help you with your career?
Being shortlisted for such a tremendous award has already helped me with my career in numerous ways. I have received lots of congratulations from my colleagues, brand employees and teachers at the National Learning Centre.
Recognition and praise make me feel valued and I believe also boosts work morale and ethic and causes me to want to go above and beyond even more than before.
Being shortlisted also helps strengthen my credibility within the industry as the IMI is a highly respected company within the automotive and being associated with that standard shows my high-quality work and development throughout my apprenticeship.
