Archie Hewett and Joe Brown both work for Lotusbits in Marton, Warwickshire and brought two classic Lotus sports cars with them to Rugby College (part of college group WCG), as they took the time to speak with students on the motor vehicle courses.
The pair spoke about their journey to employment, how the skills they learned in college have transitioned to a real-world environment and answered questions about the Lotus Excel and Lotus Elan Turbo which they brought to the talk.
Archie and Joe both studied on the Level 3 motor vehicle course together at Rugby College and left the college last summer after completing a three-year course.
Joe, 20 from Rugby, was named motor vehicle student of the year at the college in 2022.
As a result of an opening shared by the college, Joe gained employment with Lotusbits and started working full-time after completing his course.
Archie, 20 from Coventry, spent time working at another garage after college but when his friend Joe got in touch with another opening at Lotusbits, he jumped at the chance. Archie secured an interview and started working in the parts department.
Archie said: “All through high school I knew I wanted to work with cars and when leaving school. The course at Rugby College was the best avenue to help me to do that. The course really gave me the grounding and experience I needed to go into the workplace.
“The college has a good reputation for developing people. I think that is part of why Joe and I have secured jobs at Lotusbits.
“The job at Lotusbits has been absolutely brilliant and it has been great having a job where I can really utilise my knowledge.
“We thought it would be a good thing to come back and speak with students about our experiences.
“They were really interested in the classic Lotus cars and had lots of questions about the engines and how they work. We’re really happy with how the day worked out and we hope we inspired the students to see what they can go on to achieve.”
The motor vehicle department at Rugby College plans to strengthen its relationship with Lotusbits, with work experience opportunities for students and further talks to highlight the skills required to succeed in the industry.
Mike Wakeleigh-Jones, motor vehicles course manager at Rugby College, added: “Joe and Archie had been with us since Level 1.
“It was great to invite them both back into the college and the cars they brought with them really captured the attention of students, particularly when they were parked up outside the college!
“It is vital for students to be able to see the pathway to employment and what they could achieve if they put in the hard work on their course. It’s fantastic to see Joe and Archie thriving in the workplace.”
To find out more about motor vehicle courses at Rugby College www.wcg.ac.uk/study
Pictured: From left to right – Joe Brown, Mike Wakeleigh-Jones and Archie Hewett outside Rugby College.
