Tom Koon – Service Technician, Porsche Centre Hong Kong, Jebsen Motors
When I tell you that I work in an automotive service workshop, does it conjure up a mental image of a guy with an oil-smudged face holding a wrench, spending all day under a car in a hot, stuffy garage? If so, please allow me to take you on a quick tour of a day in my life as an Apprentice at the Porsche Centre Hong Kong.
The first thing you will notice is the clean, spacious workshop area. The modern automotive service centre has really transformed from the traditional car garage typically depicted in movies as grimy, hot and unpleasant. Instead, our management has put our comfort and safety at the forefront of the workshop design, ensuring that it is air-conditioned and well-lit so that we can work in an optimal environment.
Surprised? Then be prepared to be awed by the variety of high-tech equipment inside our workshop. Each day, I use computerised diagnostic tools to perform pre-delivery inspection for new cars, while another computer programme helps me record vehicle statuses before, during and after repair and maintenance processes. Technology has made various workshop procedures much more efficient than before, freeing up nearly 50% percent of my work day to plan and manage our work flow. Thanks to the deployment of technology in our workshop, as an Apprentice, I am able to elevate my skills not just in the manual aspect of car service, but also in handling new software and equipment, and even workshop operation management. Knowing that I am developing the skills I need to one day take on managerial roles is truly motivating.
A large part of my learning and development comes from interacting with my mentor, an experienced technician, whom I have worked alongside since joining Porsche as an intern. Now as an Apprentice, I am given more complex tasks, and I am held to a higher standard than before. I am fortunate to have a mentor who not only teaches me fundamental techniques, but also encourages and supports me when I encounter difficulties or make mistakes. In addition, by collaborating with other team members like the customer-facing service advisors and the parts team, I have gained a better understanding about my role, as well as the overall Porsche aftersales service operation.
I knew when I picked this line of work that it was not going to be easy, but as a long-time car lover, I decided to take the chance. Now, it is clearer than ever to me that automotive servicing requires a high level of meticulousness, attention to detail, and commitment to quality. Every one of our actions impacts the safety and satisfaction of our customers. Luckily, the company provides many platforms for learning and development, from the apprentice programme which lets me observe and receive direct guidance from my mentor, to the Porsche Technician Programme, a three-level training and certification programme for Porsche service technicians in Greater China. I am excited by the opportunity to improve and progress in my role.
Hopefully, this glimpse into my world has given you all a new perspective about automotive servicing professionals – people who work hard every day to perfect their craft, keep pace with the fast-changing world, and literally, keep things running!