Bethan Patrick

Automotive apprentice to Automotive (Heavy Vehicle) Tutor, Paragon Skills

Bethan’s journey with Paragon Skills began in 2013 when she started her Level 3 Heavy Vehicle (HV) Automotive apprenticeship. Over the next few years, she demonstrated immense dedication and drive, completing her apprenticeship in 2016, and quickly advanced to her Level 4 Advanced Apprenticeship, completing in 2017. Throughout her career, Bethan’s passion for the automotive industry grew as she worked her way through various roles; from workshop manager and fleet admin to project manager and trainer, earning recognition along the way, including being nominated for local and national apprenticeship awards and winning Advanced Apprentice of the Year for the South West in 2016 and writing publications featured in The Guardian newspaper and various magazines. With a growing expertise in both light and heavy vehicles, she further pursued her education with a Level 5 qualification in operational and departmental management, completing it between 2018 and 2021. Initially starting with motorcycles and classic cars, Bethan later moved into the heavy vehicle sector, where she found her true passion.

As an apprentice ambassador, she advocated for apprenticeships at both Paragon Skills and her previous employer. In 2024, Paragon Skills recognised Bethan’s skills and experience, and she was approached to become an automotive personal tutor. She upskilled quickly, leading four classes of around 50 students and successfully guiding one group through to their End-Point Assessment (EPA), with all students passing.  Now, as the only heavy vehicle tutor on site, Bethan’s journey from apprentice to tutor continues to inspire the next generation of automotive professionals.

Automotive apprenticeship personal tutor

I can’t shout about apprenticeships enough – they offer so much more experience than you’d get anywhere else. Because it’s your day-to-day job, everything you do contributes to your apprenticeship, and learning truly means nothing until you can put it into practice. The hands-on experience you gain makes such a difference, and the ability to apply what you learn is second to none.

Bethan’s thoughts on apprenticeships

Bethan is a strong advocate for apprenticeships, believing they offer an incredible opportunity for hands-on learning that cannot be replicated elsewhere. She feels that apprenticeships should receive even more recognition and media attention, as they provide so much more real-world experience than traditional education. For Bethan, the most rewarding aspect of her role as a tutor is witnessing the “lightbulb moment” when learners grasp a concept and realize how it applies to their day-to-day work.

Bethan is committed to enhancing the learner’s journey, consistently supporting her students in upskilling and preparing them for success. Her dedication to her own professional development is evident in her ongoing pursuit of qualifications, including AET Level 3, with plans to eventually pursue Level 5 and IQA. Additionally, Bethan has a background as an MOT tester and intends to revisit the course in the future to refresh her skills. Bethan plans to continue expanding her knowledge to better support the next generation of apprentices..

Bethan believes that the true value of apprenticeships lies in the ability to apply learning directly to the job. “Learning means nothing until you put it into practice,” she says, emphasising that the hands-on experience apprentices gain is unmatched. Being able to apply what they learn in real-life situations makes all the difference, and Bethan is determined to help her learners achieve that level of practical understanding.

If you’re inspired by Bethan’s journey and want to start your own path in the automotive industry, an apprenticeship with Paragon Skills could be the perfect next step. With hands-on experience, expert support, and a clear route to success, an automotive apprenticeship is your opportunity to learn while you earn. Discover more about Paragon Skills’ automotive apprenticeships and take the first step towards a rewarding career today!

Automotive apprentince

Looking for an apprenticeship? Take a look at other areas of our site

faqs icon

FAQs

Find the answer to the most frequently asked questions by fellow employers looking to find out more about apprenticeships.

View FAQs

Job Vacancies

View the range of jobs we have across different sectors.

View Job Vacancies

employer icon

Apprenticeship Hub

We have created an area of useful information specifically to help you as an apprentice.

View Apprenticeship HUB

What our client say

We are Rated as ‘Excellent’

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.