Northern Ireland duo Lee Curran and Josh Conlon are in the driving seat towards a successful new career thanks to a CRASH Services scholarship awarded to trainees of Riverpark Training.
CRASH Services launched the prestigious scholarship scheme last year in 2019. The Body Shop Apprentice Scholarship now aims to attract more apprentices into the Northern Ireland car body repair industry.
The innovative scheme follows a link-up between Northern Ireland’s leading accident management firm and training provider Riverpark Training and Development, who selected Lee and Josh in August 2019 as the first beneficiaries.
Both were selected from the number of apprentices who had just started with Riverpark in Mallusk that term.
There are two awards per year for an initial three-year period.
The scholarship is worth an impressive £10,000 to each lucky apprentice during their three years of training.
Ballycastle native Lee Curran is completing his apprenticeship at David McIntyre Autobody & Alloys, Coleraine.
Lee spoke of his delight at winning the scholarship and his enjoyment of the training.
“I was fortunate to be one of the first recipients,” Lee said.
“I have been taught and guided by a highly skilled in Coleraine alongside the experts at Riverpark. The group that I am part of have motivated me to be the best that I can be; second best or inferior work is neither accepted nor tolerated.
I am immeasurably grateful to all the team at David McIntyre for the guidance I am receiving.
I’m also grateful to CRASH Services for their commitment to me and the bodyshop industry.”
Of his plans for the future, Lee continued, “I intend to use the scholarship to support my career further and elevate my skills.
My advice to anyone thinking of a career in auto body repair is to go for it if you enjoy daily challenges and aren’t afraid of hard work; it’s an extremely rewarding career.”
Lee added, “I am very proud to have received this scholarship and to represent the high standards of David McIntyre, Riverpark and CRASH Services.”
Newtownabbey resident Josh Conlon is completing his scholarship at Greenisland Body Repair Centre.
He spoke in glowing terms about his first year in the body repair industry. “I feel very privileged to have been chosen for the CRASH Services Riverpark Scholarship.”
Speaking about the financial help, he continued, “It enabled me to be able to purchase the equipment needed for the job.”
Urging other youngsters to apply for the scholarship, Josh adds, “I would definitely recommend future students apply.”
Jonathan McKeown, CEO of CRASH Services, said, “It is vitally important that new apprentices are encouraged to come into the car body shop industry.
This is a highly skilled trade, and we want to ensure there is a vibrant repair sector.
We would encourage anyone with a keen interest in cars and technology to consider this scholarship.”
Colin Hagan, Managing Director at Riverpark Training, the leading provider in Northern Ireland that trains predominately for the Automotive Industry, said, “We have a long history of working closely with industry partners to ensure apprentices are developed to a high standard.
Indeed, our trainees regularly achieve International Awards for their skills.
We are delighted to team up on the scholarship scheme with CRASH Services and look forward to training the next generation of repairers.”
How to apply:
To be eligible for the CRASH Services Scholarship you must be employed as an apprentice in a CRASH Services associated bodyshop and enrol with Riverpark Training, Mallusk, for your training and qualifications.
For further details on how to apply, please contact Clare on 02890 342400 or email clare@riverparktraining.com.
Please apply by Friday 30 October 2020 to be considered.
For more info see CRASH Services.
