Beau Knowles is the equipment division manager at Sydney Automotive Paint & Equipment. That's a huge role if you check out how much equipment the company offers. Knowles is this week's Turbo Talk guest.
How did you get started in the industry?
I was very keen on leaving school at the end of year 10. I had two passions - building and fixing cars. The building industry was in the middle of a big recession so I went off to my uncle's workshop to become an apprentice in the smash repair industry.
Beau just a tad before year 10
What do you do now?
For the last 15 years I have worked for the SAPE Group in various roles, my current position is Equipment Division Manager.
What do you most like about the industry?
I find this industry that I have now worked in for over 30 years very rewarding. Any young apprentice that joins our industry now has a lot of opportunities. If they have the drive to work hard and learn their trade there is the real opportunity to earn very good money as a trades person and continue to work their way through the workshop floor into management. There are also many roles with suppliers in the industry.
What do you most dislike about the industry?
The lack of young people joining our industry.
Who do you most admire in the industry?
There are many that I admire…. Hard work = Success!
Many leaders in our industry prove that you can still be very successful in our game.
Cars! tell us - first car, current car, dream car?
Holden Gemini – Ford Wildtrak – Porsche