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Kavan Gough, 18, from Sheffield, is currently working at Direct Line Group as an apprentice on the prestigious Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) course. This pioneering and innovative apprenticeship programme has been designed by Nigel Scholes (Training and development SME at Direct Line Group Auto Services to train the next generation of Body Shop VDA’s to adapt to changing collision repair technologies. Recently, Kavan has also become the youngest candidate to pass the elusive Full VDA Assessment (ATA).
Kavan says: “I’ve been working at Direct Line Group for just under two years now and it’s safe to say that I absolutely love it. Before joining Direct Line Group, I was training to become a professional golfer, but I started to become frustrated with the limited opportunities to progress.
“I was about to sign-up to attend an army college, but my step-dad was working as a manger in a Body Shop and he encouraged me to explore the apprenticeship schemes that they had on offer. After having a look on the Direct Line Group website, I quickly knew that the Vehicle Damage Assessor Apprenticeship was perfect for me.
“The application process was seamless, and I was invited to come in for an interview after passing the online assessments. Despite not coming from a mechanical background, the team were really interested in taking someone on with a fresh approach.”
More recently, Kavan has gone on to become the youngest ever candidate to achieve the industry renowned Full VDA Assessment (ATA) qualification:
“Obtaining my Full VDA Assessment (ATA) has been a real highlight for me. It was only afterwards that my manager told me I was also the youngest person to achieve the qualification, which was a fantastic feeling. It’s definitely spurring me on to complete the rest of the apprenticeship and qualify.
“I’m constantly striving to do the best I can on the VDA course, and I just want to keep progressing and learning. It’s the best career I could have asked for and I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”
“My advice to anyone considering applying for the VDA apprenticeship scheme would be to definitely go for it. It’s a really interesting and exciting time to work in the industry due to the advances in technology such as driverless cars and electric motors. Direct Line Group are definitely at the forefront of these changes and working as an apprentice is both challenging and rewarding.”
To find out more about apprenticeships at Direct Line Group and apply, visit https://www.directlinegroupcareers.com.