LSH Auto Australia apprentice Mehidi receives 2022 Bert Evan’s Scholarship

LSH Auto Australia and WPC Group 2nd year light vehicle automotive technician apprentice Mehidi Hussaini, was recently announced as one of the successful recipients of the 2022 Bert Evans Scholarship in NSW.

Born in Afghanistan, and then moving to Australia, Mehidi Hussaini didn’t speak English and was unsure of what he wanted to pursue for a career, so he enrolled into a private college for adults and completed his Higher School Certificate (HSC). Upon completing his HSC, Mehidi enrolled in a Bachelor of Electronic Engineering at university, though soon established another four years of study was not for him, and instead wanted to earn while he learned.

After applying for many roles through various providers and continually being unsuccessful, Mehidi found WPC Group, applied for a light vehicle automotive apprenticeship, and was successful in gaining a role with Mercedes-Benz Sydney, part of LSH Auto Australia

Growing up in a family who was always working on cars, and a father who is a mechanic, provided Mehidi an understanding of what his apprenticeship would entail. “I saw this apprenticeship as an entry level position. To excel and work hard, this is such an exciting industry because of the changes and technology.” he said.

In the first year of his apprenticeship, Mehidi says he, learnt a lot of the skills required in the role from qualified  technicians in the workshop through application and observation, “I learnt a lot from MTA about the practical side of the certificate, but mostly I have learnt from other technicians, watching them and taking in how they do things.”

The Bert Evans scholarship program is a $15,000 scholarship over a period of three years ($5,000 per year), designed to support apprentices who are experiencing financial or personal hardship, demonstrate a high aptitude for vocational education and training, and who are committed to their on and off the job training.

When asked why he applied for the scholarship, Mehidi said it was a great opportunity to enable him to support himself throughout his apprenticeship, “I can have some financial support in this hard environment. I can put the money towards travel costs. I can also use some to purchase tools required for the job.”

Breanna Lear, Mehidi’s WPC Group Mentor, has known Mehidi for over 12 months now and always looks forward to her workplace visits with him. Breanna has always been impress by his enthusiasm and willingness to learn and desire grow in this industry, “Having come to Australia only a few years prior, learning English and educating himself along the way, I was delighted to place him into an apprenticeship with Mercedes Benz Sydney (LSH Auto Australia), where I knew he would be delivered world class training and opportunity.”

The advice Mehidi would give someone thinking of applying for the Bert Evans Scholarship in the future is go for it, “If someone feels that they need the support to excel and give themselves a better opportunity, definitely apply whether or not you get it, what’s the harm?”

Mehidi hopes to become a Master Technician upon completion of his apprenticeship, deliver the Master of Mechanics and be involved in the industry as much as possible.