With a passion for cars and three years' experience as a qualified painter at BCA Automotive in Doncaster, Mason Clark is continuing to develop his skills and make his mark in the automotive refinishing industry.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the automotive industry, and how did you get started?
I've always been interested in cars, but I didn't really know where to start or how to get into the industry. Then I found GTA College in Thorne, Doncaster, and they sent me through to BCA and it just sort of went from there.
During my apprenticeship, I've developed a lot of skills, especially when it comes to focusing on my work. It's about focusing on your job, your quality, your standards, and your teamwork, and making sure everything is done properly.
One of the challenges has been doing everything for the first time. You're a bit unsure and nervous about it at first, but being able to do something with the same quality over and over again helps. You can tell you're levelling up when you're consistently producing good work all the time.
How would you describe your experience in the IMI Skills Competition?
My college really wanted to put me forward for the competition. There were a couple of us who wanted to go through, and after completing the online test, we were invited to the qualifiers. I was slightly nervous about it, but when we got there, it was actually pretty easy because it was standard stuff that you do at work. I flew through that, so it was alright.
I did the qualifiers before my End Point Assessment, so it made things a bit easier because you've already been under test conditions.
What new skills or knowledge have you gained through participating in the competition?
Before the pre-finals training, I briefly used Glasurit 90 Line, and then we moved on to Axalta, which is similar to this paint line as it's a 1:1 mix. Some lacquers are one-to-one-and-a-half and so on. The products are similar, and most of the processes are the same anyway.
I think this experience will definitely be helpful for the finals. The more you're around something, the more familiar you become with it, whether that's the mixing scheme, primers, paint, or the overall process.
What advice would you give someone considering a career in the automotive industry?
It's good to be around cars. It makes you think a lot, and you become interested in things you never knew about before, like parts, prices, and different jobs within the industry. There are loads of different ways you can go. You can move into management and learn other things, such as finance and other business areas.
I think starting off as an apprentice is your best bet. Once you've been on the shop floor and gained experience, moving into management is really just doing what you're already doing, but for everyone else as well.
For anyone thinking about entering the competition, I'd tell them it's definitely worth it. It's not like it's going to cost you anything, so you may as well give it a go. If you get through, you get through. If you don't, you can always try again next year. If you do well, it's something great to add to your CV as well, and wherever you go, people will recognise that you've achieved something extra and pushed yourself.
Find out more about the IMI Skills Competition here.
