The only way is up with Plunket College of Further Education
Plunket College of Further Education has received a couple of overwhelming endorsements from two former students who completed the college’s Pre-Apprenticeship Motor Vehicle Maintenance course:
Katie McCurdy
After leaving secondary school, Katie McCurdy from Malahide in Dublin, was unsure what she would like to study in college.
”In 2021, I researched college courses online to try and get an understanding of what I would like to study for my future career,” Katie explained.
“I chose Plunket College of Further Education for a number of reasons: firstly, Plunket College offered a Pre-Apprenticeship course in Motor Vehicle Maintenance and having always had an interest in cars I felt this was an ideal opportunity for me.
“Also, Plunket College of Further Education is ideally located with an excellent public transport service.”
Katie said that once she applied online, she called into the college for further course clarification and was made feel “very welcome”.
“It was at this stage the career guidance tutor went through the course in detail with me and advised me of future careers opportunities and also possible progression routes to university on completion of the Pre-Apprenticeship Motor Vehicle Maintenance course.
“What I enjoyed most about the course was the practical subjects and seeing how everything works together, however in contrast I also enjoyed the theory subjects and seeing how the process worked,” Katie enthused.
A mandatory part of the Pre-Apprenticeship Motor Vehicle Maintenance course at Plunket College of Further Education is a 10-day work experience placement.
Katie secured her placement with Malahide Autos, and while there had the opportunity to shadow the service advisor.
“Having completed my 10-day placement with Malahide Autos, I realised my interest was in the administration end of the business and not repairing cars,” she said.
On completion of the work placement, Katie was offered a part-time job in the business.
Katie graduated from Plunket College of Further Education in June 2022 with honours and received a Full QQI Level 5 Award in Motor Technology. She also recently registered with DCU to start a bachelor’s degree in Business & Accounting.
Alessandro Passarini
Alessandro Passarini has just landed a “dream” start to his career with the Porsche Centre Dublin.
Alessandro came to Ireland 2018 with the intention of improving his English. In 2020, a friend, who shares the same passion for cars as Alessandro, suggested that he enrol in a motor vehicle maintenance course to pursue his passion.
“Initially, I researched motor vehicle maintenance courses online, however the QQI Level 5, one-year Pre-Apprenticeship Motor Vehicle Maintenance course delivered at Plunket College of Further Education caught my attention,” Alessandro said.
“I did not hesitate and enrolled online for the next available course start date.”
He started at Plunket College of Further Education in September 2021 and quickly settled into college life, getting used to the various subjects and class timetables.
Alessandro secured his 10-day work experience placement with the Porsche Centre Dublin, which is part of the Joe Duffy Group.
“I learned a huge amount from the Porsche technicians about all the various aspects of the job, which I might not have otherwise considered.
“When I completed my placement, I returned to college to prepare for my end of year assessments and with an understanding that an apprenticeship was the right career choice for me,” Alessandro explained.
After graduating from Plunket College of Further Education in June 2022 with a Full QQI Level 5 Award in Motor Technology, Alessandro applied for an advertised apprenticeship position at the North Dublin Porsche dealer.
He was successful in his application, and started his new role in July.
It will take four years, a mix of training at the Porsche Centre and three college slots to become a fully qualified motor mechanic, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Motor Mechanics qualification.
Alessandro stated that the work experience placement was “fundamental” and opened many doors.
“The knowledge, skills and qualification I gained at Plunket College of Further Education is the base that made all of this possible,” he added.