Meet Michael, a passionate light vehicle MTA apprentice. Growing up in a family connected to the automotive world, he was drawn to car meets and shows from a young age.
Eager to pursue a career as a skilled mechanic, Michael joined the MTA on the advice of his school's VET Coordinator. He enjoys the supportive environment and values his Automotive Specialist, Franco. “It’s great to have that constant support behind you, Franco regularly calls me to check in.”
Despite facing setbacks like a broken arm during his initial application, Michael's determination remained unshaken. Now fully recovered and excited to begin his apprenticeship, he looks forward to refining his skills.
“Now that I’ve got my own car, I just love doing everything to it and can’t wait to start doing it on other people’s cars.”
Michael's passion for cars led him to work on his own car modifications. He started with small cosmetic changes like washing, polishing, and changing the taillights. “Then, I focused on making the exhaust a little louder but not too extreme for my P’s. I customised the exhaust tips and made a DIY pod filter to save costs.”
Subwoofers are a must-have for Michael, so he designed a custom box that fits perfectly in his car's boot without compromising access to the spare tire in case of emergencies. He also added a musical horn for fun.
Throughout his car modifications, Michael learned valuable skills in soldering and wiring. Upgrading the headlights and indicators required resistors to maintain proper timing. He also enjoyed the challenge of lowering the suspension in his own garage. “I knew it was going to be a difficult task. But I said, look I'm becoming a mechanic. I want to learn the hard way. And honestly, I really learned a lot from that day. It was good fun!”.
Michael's ultimate goal is to continue working as a mechanic with Volkswagen, his current host employer.
As he refines his skills and pursues his ambition, Michael’s passion for cars will continue to fuel his drive towards a fulfilling and successful career.