When Lauren started tinkering with cars in her spare time, she wasn’t thinking about career progression. She just loved it.
Fixing up her own Japanese import. Watching paintwork come back to life. Spending time with friends at car shows, comparing projects and helping each other learn. It was a hobby, until it quietly became a calling.
In our latest AutoRaise mini film, Lauren shares her story of becoming a vehicle repair apprentice, and why the trade is more than a job. It’s a place to belong, grow, and build a future.
Why It Matters
Apprentices like Lauren don’t just bring passion—they bring value. According to IMI research, most apprentices begin generating profit within 6 months, delivering a return of over 200% by year three. Give someone an opportunity of a lifetime—and strengthen your workforce for the future.
Discovering a Path Through Passion
Lauren’s love of cars didn’t come from a textbook. It came from hands-on experience; stripping back panels, understanding bodywork, customising, experimenting, making mistakes and learning from them.
“I wasn’t sure how to turn it into a career,” she says. “But once I started looking into apprenticeships, it just made sense.”
After some initial research and encouragement, Lauren joined a bodyshop as an apprentice. Today, she’s learning across Paint, Panel, and MET, balancing real-world repairs with off-the-job learning. And she’s thriving.
“I’ve learned more in a year than I thought possible,” she says. “You get thrown in, but you’re supported the whole way.”
Changing Perceptions of the Trade
For Lauren, one of the biggest challenges wasn’t the work itself – but the assumptions.
“There’s still this idea that it’s a ‘guy’s job’, or that it’s not a real career. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
She explains how the team welcomed her in, how supportive the training has been, and how much satisfaction comes from seeing a car go from damaged to delivered, knowing she played a part in it.
“It’s a good feeling when people realise you know what you’re doing.”
She also speaks to the wider issue the industry faces: a lack of awareness among young people, and employers unsure how to bring them in.
“There are loads of people like me, who love cars, love fixing things, but don’t know this is an option.”
How AutoRaise Helps
Lauren’s journey is exactly why AutoRaise exists.
- We connect employers with the right apprentices.
- We support young people who have the passion but need the path.
- We work with education providers to align real training with real careers.
- And the AutoRaise Bursary helps cover starter costs, so employers can say yes to the right apprentice, without the upfront strain.
Our new film is part of a wider campaign to help Fix the Gap – the growing skills shortage in the vehicle repair industry – by showcasing the people already closing it.
Watch Lauren’s Story
Grab a coffee and find out what it really means to be an apprentice in this trade.
It’s not just about fixing things.
It’s about finding confidence, opportunity, and a place to grow.
Want to support apprentices like Lauren? Find out more about becoming an AutoRaise Member: AutoRaise Membership | Join the Movement for Apprenticeship Growth
AutoRaise: Building the future of the vehicle repair industry – one apprenticeship at a time.
