UMR Engines
UMR Engines is an independent, full service automotive mechanics in South East Queensland. A busy workplace but with a small team, managing the recruitment of new staff was inefficient and costly.
The Challenge
A need to look beyond a candidate’s existing skillset and experience to identify early in the recruitment process applicants who possess the core qualities suited to the position.
Owner, UMR Engines
“Apprenticeship Central takes the guess work out of the equation. The results are very accurate and tell me from the start if an apprentice has the right attitude and interests for the job or not – not a year or two down the track when we’ve made a significant investment in them.
“When I need my next apprentice the first thing I’ll be doing is spending my money to see what the Harrison Online Career Assessment has to say, and going from there.”
The Solution
The Apprenticeship Central website: a resource designed to connect apprentices and employers, and with tools like the Harrison Online Career Assessment which compares over 175 job related traits in over 800 occupations.
First Year Apprentice , UMR Engines
Brendan McConnell approached UMR Engines looking for an apprenticeship as an automotive mechanic. Although he had no previous industry experience, after taking the Harrison Career Assessment UMR Engines were willing to give him a chance.
“The boss took me around the workshop and then asked me to do the assessment. It took me about half an hour.
The blokes I work with help me along the way and it gives me great satisfaction that I’m able to help the customers”.
The Result
In May 2014 Brendan McConnell approached UMR Engines looking for an apprenticeship as an automotive mechanic.
The 27-year-old had no previous industry experience, with his last job working as a builder’s labourer on local housing developments.
But a lifetime in business had taught UMR Engines owner Graeme Norup that even the “right looking” person wasn’t always the right fit, so he had Brendan complete the Harrison Online Career Assessment available on the Apprenticeship Central website.
Half an hour was all it took to confirm Brendan had the aptitude to meet the challenges of the apprenticeship, and give Graeme the confidence he needed to put Brendan on.
Now several months into his craft, Brendan’s attitude and willingness to learn have continued to impress:
“He’s very interested, he asks a lot of questions and wants to learn – and that is the difference between someone suited to the job and someone who just wants to have a job,” Graeme says.
