Early beginnings…..
At the tender age of 12, Alistair McCrindle’s penchant for hands-on work was already evident. With an unyielding work ethic and a lack of desire to sit at a desk all day, Alistair took a weekend role with Smart Motorcycle Training at Redborne Upper School. While managing the weekend chip shop run for the staff, it was here that the early shoots of his love of communicating with customers and helping to repair engines were ignited.
Work experience…..
This early foundation led to Alistair taking a two-week work experience stint with a Land Rover specialist in Bedford and cemented a passion for the automotive industry which has led to a successful and fulfilling career path ever since.
Work experience directly led to Alistair taking a weekend role with the Land Rover specialist which rapidly transitioned into an apprenticeship, starting the day after Alistair took his last GCSE exam.
Alistair’s career journey since…..
After absorbing vital skills and qualifications as an apprentice, Alistair accelerated through the ranks, from a Chrysler Jeep main dealer network to diagnostic training. His communicative flair and technical acumen led him to customer-focused roles and eventually to Head Service Advisor at a Land Rover Garage. During this time, he also stepped in as Aftersales Manager.
Following a stint with Bosch Independent Network, managing two garages at Service Manager level, Alistair shifted lanes into teaching, fostering the next generation of automotive talent at Barnfield College and later at North Herts College as Deputy Head of Curriculum for the engineering and construction campus. For 12 years, Alistair ascended through academia to reach management level, shaping nearly a thousand students’ lives each week, while working towards achieving his teacher’s degree and Qualified Teachers Status.
Throughout this time, his passion for mechanics remained and Alistair ran a side business, during the evenings and weekends, repairing and maintaining cars. Leaving education, Alistair joined the IMI as an External Quality Assurer in 2020 where he remained before making the move to Autotech Training in 2023. Since this time, he has been promoted from Head of Operations to Director of Operations.
“The roles I have enjoyed throughout my 25-year career to date, demonstrate the extensive career opportunities within the automotive industry. However, the linchpin of my success was the robust work experience that initiated my career. This is proof of the resounding impact these opportunities can have on a young person, not just in cultivating skills, but in nurturing the automotive industry’s future talent pool.”
Do you have a work experience story to share? We’d love to hear it. Email dave@ready4work.uk to share your experience.
Share This Article:
