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Dan Glover - Download Case Study

Age: 20
Hometown: Ashton-under-Lyne
Trade: Automobile Technology

Competition: WorldSkills 2007, Japan
Skill: Automobile Technology
Result: Gold Medal


Qualifications:
* 6 GCSEs
* NVQ Level 3 in Light Vehicle Service & Repair, The Honda Institute
* City & Guilds in Light Vehicle Repair & Fault Diagnosis, The Honda Institute

Employer: Pennine Honda, Ashton

Dan's Story

Dan hasn’t even reached 21 yet, but he is a young man that has always known what he wants to do and ensures he gives it his all to get there. He has always strived to do his best and that was certainly put to the test when he became a popular member of the 2007 UK WorldSkills team and competed in the Automobile Technology competition.

So has Dan always wanted to work within the Automobile Technology industry?

It appears so. Even before he’d finished school, Dan had sent out letters and applied to every single motor mechanic related garage he could find in his local Yellow Pages. From there he was offered an apprenticeship place with Honda, a garage only a mile from his home, which Dan believed that on top of their excellent training reputation also afforded him that extra time in bed each morning!

But what is it about the job that Dan loves?

For Dan it’s simple. “The thing I have always loved about my job is the challenge it presents to me every single day. My job keeps me sharp. It’s a physical job - there are always tight nuts and bolts to undo or a heavy gearbox to put in a car - but also there’s a mental challenge involved which I really enjoy.”

“The general view of a mechanic is a fat bloke with an oil-stained face, knocking two tonnes of hell out of something with the biggest hammer possible. But this isn’t the reality. A modern Automobile Technician has to diagnose faults using instruments which you can’t operate if you don’t have the right knowledge or training and they need to have problem solving abilities too.”

“Without this job I would probably be in one which was paying minimum wage, not using my brain and with no career prospects. Look at what I’ve achieved so far and I’m not even 21.”

So how did Dan get into competing?

Dan’s the first to admit that his first foray into competitions didn’t go according to plan. “My first competition was awful. I was really disappointed when I didn’t win and can remember ringing my dad afterwards in dismay, while banging my head against my steering wheel – I was gutted.” Luckily for Dan and the UK, his training manager knew Dan had the potential and he was finally selected as part of the team to go to Japan.

What was it like to go to Japan and compete?

The first word that springs to Dan’s mind is “tough”. Dan felt at times that it was difficult to concentrate and the pressure was hard to deal with. “On one day, the Crown Prince of Japan himself came and visited our testing area which was slightly surreal and a bit intimidating. I definitely wanted to do well in front of him!” However, Dan’s tough training regime, intense practice sessions and his own, personal drive ensured that he did his best in all the competition test areas.

What will Dan remember about his experience of WorldSkills?

For Dan there are so many memories that he has brought back with him. Everything from arriving in Japan on the first day to a totally new culture, visiting a Japanese Elementary School, meeting the school children and receiving their gifts, to the last day and looking around to see the relief in everyone’s faces when the final buzzer went off announcing the end of the competition and the ensuing laughing, singing and dancing to celebrate that went with it, will all hold a place in Dan’s heart.

“On top of everything else I’ll remember being part of the team. We became more than a team, we were one big family. Everybody looked out for each other and was there to support them and encourage them if they didn’t think they were doing so well, which was great. The team spirit in itself was just awesome.”

So has anything changed since coming home?

The answer is yes. Firstly he’s had to become used to the media attention, having now appeared on the TV and in his local papers. Also, since getting back to work, Dan has been made a Diagnostic Technician, which he says he would not have achieved without the training and experience of competing. He’s also gained a lot more confidence in the work he does and the belief in his own ability. He would also like to be involved with WorldSkills 2011; an event which he thinks will help bring the attention that’s deserved to the competition.

What advice would Dan give to others wanting to take part?

Simple, “Give it your all. This is a once in a life time opportunity. The training and experience you can gain competing at WorldSkills is priceless. It will also open doors for your future career.”

And what are Dan’s plans for the future?

“Within the next 5 years I would love to have my own garage, be my own boss and do what work I want when I want. If I haven’t achieved that by the time I’m 30 I will not be happy!” Well with Dan’s enthusiasm, knowledge and drive, we’re sure he will achieve everything he sets his mind to.