Former student returns to inspire future paint technicians

We recently welcomed back Jaki, a former student who graduated in early 2026 with a full IMI Level 3 Paint Technician Qualification. Shortly after qualifying, Jaki landed a role as a technician at a local body shop.

Six months into his professional career, he returned to campus to speak with our fresh intake of IMI Level 2 Paint Repair students.

During his visit, Jaki shared his unique perspective on transitioning directly from the classroom to industry. He gave the new learners an honest, insightful look at life in a busy commercial body shop, covering both the challenges and the rewards of the trade.

Since joining the industry, Jaki has developed his technical skills further, working on a variety of vehicles and repair projects while gaining first-hand experience of the pace and standards expected in a professional body shop environment.

David-James, Jaki’s former teacher, said “It’s fantastic to see former students like Jaki returning to share their experiences. Hearing directly from someone who has recently made the transition into industry gives our learners valuable insight into the opportunities available to them.”

Sessions like these form an important part of the learner experience, helping students understand how their classroom learning translates into the workplace while building confidence about their future career prospects.

It was a pleasure having Jaki back on campus, and his story served as a powerful inspiration for our current cohort as they begin their own journeys.