New recruits: a junior technician at Harley Davidson

Ana Arendar speaks to young people who have completed their training and recently started work in the automotive industry

Thursday 30 October 2008 01:05 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

I first started working at Harley Davidson on a part-time basis while I was still at college. Then, when I finished college in June this year I moved on to working as a full-time junior technician.

This job is great – it’s really diverse, and I’m learning loads of different things every day. One of my responsibilities is carrying out pre-delivery inspections, which means checking brand new bikes when they come in and setting them up so that they are ready to go out to the customers. I also do servicing on bikes, accessory fittings for customers and repair work. I see loads of amazing bikes come into the garage. Not all of them are Harley Davidsons – we get pretty much everything coming in.

Here at the garage there are many different levels, and I would ultimately like to get up to master technician level, which is the highest you can achieve. You need a minimum of five years of experience at Harley Davidson to qualify, so you have to be committed. Having got to that level, I would then like to open my own business.

TOP TIP: "College is the best way to get into the industry as it gives you a lot of the background knowledge you need, which is a huge advantage. A college can also help you secure a job."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in