EXPLAIN IT IN LAYMENS TERMS

Once upon a time when I was working the Motor Trades Association and with all those very privileged boys who were lucky enough to get into the apprenticeship scheme. I happened to remember whilst I was chatting to a friend in the gym this morning a conversation I had with a pre-apprenticeship boy who was considering becoming a Motor Mechanic.

I suppose everyone has heard the term "grease monkey" referring to motor mechanics, personally I hate that saying as I do people saying "dunny diver".

What I said to this young person changed his whole way of thinking of what apprenticeship he wanted to apply for.

Think about this scenario:

I drop off my car to the mechanics to have the brakes done Monday morning.  The mechanic has had a very heavy weekend and his brain is actually still a bit fuzzy (we can all relate to that I am sure).  I pick up my car at the end of the day, pay the bill and drive off, I go to put my foot on the brake and it goes straight to the floor (no brakes) I crash into a power pole and I kill myself, because you neglected to bleed the brakes right at the end like you should have done.  Now could you handle that scenario I asked him?

The look on his face was priceless and after about 5-10 minutes(after he said I would have to think about it) he came back to me and said he has actually changed his mind he wants to pursue panel beating instead.  He just could not handle the thought of his actions being the possible chance of killing a person.  Now the scenario I painted was a pretty lethal one, but just in case people dont think about it, mechanics are like brain surgeons but for a car. People should respect them and trust them to absolutely everything right when servicing or fixing your car. 

Young people do not have the experience we have gained over the years and all the pictures that we have stored in our head that we have either experienced or seen with our own eyes.  Life is scary and there is no way you should be taking risks with the person you give your car to, probably the most lethal weapon you come into contact with every day.

I met up with that young person 15 years later when he was 31 and he told me that my words stuck with him for years and many other things I told him over the years he was with us (4 I think) e.g. saving $10 out of your pay each week (another story).  He also said he was very happy with his life as a panel beater and now has his own panel beating shop and he treats his young apprentices like I did him and he has good working relationships with them.

Young adults are like sponges they are learning every day so although we dont always do everything right or the correct way we should be always be trying to lead by example.
These people are our potential future leaders !! 

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO !!