Rob Turns Passion for Cars into a Career

Stoke on Trent College alumnus Rob Smith, turned a passion for the automotive industry into a career after studying BTEC National Certificate in Motor Vehicle Engineering.

Rob had a passion for cars from school, and after enrolling on the motor vehicle engineering course, he quickly absorbed the teachings and saw a career path.

“I found it so much more engaging than my time spent in mainstream education,” Rob explained.

“I was like a sponge and absorbed everything that the tutors had to say.”

Outside of his course, Rob enjoyed meeting new people whom he would ultimately cross paths with over his working career.

“(College) felt incredibly grown up in comparison to school life. This was my first introduction to building a network of individuals that I would cross paths with in the working world,” he said.

Rob finished his studies at the college in 1987 and took a trainee role at his local Goodyear garage, and worked his way through different parts of the business, including working on cars, trucks and agricultural machines, becoming an M.O.T tester and progressing into a low-level management role.

Following this, Rob moved to another automotive business, which led him to manage his own Fast Fit site before getting the desire to move into training.

He returned to Goodyear in 2013 as a Technical Trainer Officer, delivering training courses all over the country to both internal associates and external customers. In 2022, he was promoted to the role of Technical Training Manager.

Reflecting on his learnings from his time at Stoke on Trent College, Rob pointed towards the thirst for knowledge that he developed, which has driven him forward within the automotive industry.

“The automotive world is fast paced, so you need to always be looking to achieve a level of understanding and never have the attitude that you know everything,” he said.

He also offered some advice to students currently studying at the college, saying,

“Follow your dreams and follow your passion. When I wanted to join the industry, I was told by teachers and my parents that it wasn’t a good industry and that I would regret the decision; they were all wrong.”

Rob is honoured to be part of the Made at Stoke on Trent College alumni network and hopes to share his knowledge and experience with the automotive professionals of the future.

“I’d love to revisit the college where my journey started. I love the industry and motorsport, so to be involved with a global brand like Goodyear has exceeded my own expectations,” he concluded.

If you studied at Stoke on Trent College and would be interested in becoming part of the Made at Stoke on Trent College alumni network, please sign up here.