Inspired by a family history in the motor trade and a passion for restoring classic Minis, AJ has turned a lifelong interest in hands-on vehicle repair into a successful career at Queen's Classics.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the automotive industry, and how did you get started?
I got into the industry through tinkering, really. It started with working on my own classic Mini and was influenced by my grandad, who had his own garage. Although I never got to see the garage myself, working on my own vehicles sparked my interest, and that eventually progressed into working at Queens Classics. The business is owned by my brother, so I work alongside him every day.
Can you walk us through your career journey so far?
I came into the industry through college. My tutor, Ben King, was brilliant and has always been really supportive.
I recently completed my Level 3 qualification and became a fully qualified automotive body repair technician. Working at Queens Classics, we restore and repair both classic and modern vehicles, which is something my brother and I developed from our shared hobby of restoring our own Minis growing up.
How would you describe your experience in the IMI Skills Competition?
It was through college that I first found out about the IMI Skills Competition. Last year, during my second year, I entered and completed the online test but didn't get through. I decided to give it another go this year, got through the online stage, progressed through the qualifiers, and then made it all the way to the finals.
The online test was fairly straightforward, and I really enjoyed the qualifier stage. It opened my eyes to so much. Everyone you talk to has their own story and their own journey into the industry. Even at the training days, it has been incredible meeting so many people from different backgrounds and learning from their experiences.
Have you gained any new skills or knowledge since taking part?
The competition has taught me a lot. The biggest challenge has been managing the extra pressure that comes from working against the clock and being assessed at the same time. It makes you approach tasks differently. I have learned the importance of staying calm, planning my work properly, staying focused, and trusting my own ability. Those are all skills that I can take back into my day-to-day role.
What motivates you in your career?
My grandad had a successful garage, and I wanted to make him proud by following the same path in the industry. My dad was also very hands-on and taught me that you can find a way to do almost anything. Watching my family work hard and support one another has shaped who I am and how I approach my work today.
I was never particularly academic at school, so finding a practical career that suited my skills made a huge difference for me. It showed me that there are other routes to success outside of the traditional academic pathway. That's something I try to pass on to my own children as well.
Now that I have my own family, with my partner and two boys, I have even more motivation to keep pushing myself and build something that I can be proud of. I often bring my son into the garage with me because I want him to see that there are lots of different career paths available. Not everyone has to follow the same route through education, and I hope he can see the value in learning practical skills and finding something he's passionate about. Ultimately, I want to make my family proud and continue building on the legacy that inspired me to get started in the first place.
Find out more about the IMI Skills Competition.
