Reuben is a first-year light vehicle apprentice, but he didn’t start out knowing he wanted to be a mechanic.
“To begin with, I tried a bunch of different trades including tiling, paving, bricklaying, plumbing,” he says. “I enjoyed the work, but none of them really felt like me. I liked the hands-on work, but something was missing.”
That changed when Reuben thought back to working on cars with his dad.
“We’d do the basics – oil changes, small fixes, and that really sparked something in me. I’ve always thought cars looked cool, and I was curious about how they actually worked.”
Encouraged by his school’s VET Coordinator, Reuben enrolled in an MTA course. “I gave it a shot and loved it. Wayne, the trainer, is great at teaching, everyone’s kind and the whole environment just felt right.”
He also connected with MTA’s Schools Pathway Coordinator, David Warren, before starting his placement. “David explained everything clearly and made it easy to understand. That really helped.”
Reuben completed his work experience at Port Adelaide Auto Repairs, and knew straight away he was on the right path.
“I got to do a service on my own, and that just fired me up. I realised I don’t just like working on engines, I enjoy being around cars in general.”
Soon after, MTA helped find him a placement close to home at Ultra Tune Seaton. “The MTA team – Mario, David and Richard – helped line it all up for me. My first day went smoothly, everyone’s been great and I feel like I fit in.”
Now, Reuben’s focused on learning the trade properly and building a solid foundation. “I’m not trying to rush. When I do, I make more mistakes. I’d rather take my time and do it right. I want to be a safe, reliable mechanic.”
He’s also balancing full-time work with school. “I’m still completing my SACE while working full-time, and MTA has made that possible.”
What Reuben enjoys most is the challenge.“When something goes wrong with a car, I like figuring it out. It helps me learn, and next time I can do it quicker and better. That’s what I love.”
What advice would he offer for anyone considering the trade?
“There’s so much support – from the MTA, from your trainers, even from the government. It’s not that hard to get started, and once you’re in, you’ll see how many different directions you can go.”
