Right Place, Right Mindset
Dante ONeil, a small engine technician at McLaren’s Rural Services, has always been focused on fixing things.
“Since I was young, I have always loved taking things apart and trying to put them back together. I didn’t always have the skills to reassemble them, but I was committed to learning how.”
Although he is now well on his way to completing his Level 4 qualification, Dante’s path to working in Outdoor Power Equipment hasn’t been straightforward. His journey in the automotive industry began in 2020 at age 15, when he left school to start a motorcycle apprenticeship.
After securing a job and making progress in his apprenticeship, COVID-19 hit. Dante was made redundant, and he had to search for new opportunities.
He spent time in a heavy diesel workshop, but when he met the team at McLaren’s, things clicked into place for him: “An opportunity at McLaren’s popped up and they were very nice people. I cross-credited my motorcycle apprenticeship, got stuck into outdoor power equipment, and have been loving it ever since.”
Tony McLaren, Owner/Director of McLaren’s Rural Services, says Dante quickly made a strong impression on the team. “He immediately struck the team as a responsible, level-headed young guy who went about his work in a careful, measured manner. He had a bit to learn in the outdoor power equipment world, but wasn’t scared to ask questions and worked hard at the theory side of things. He has become a valued member of the McLaren’s team.”
Fast forward to today and Dante has been at McLaren’s for just over two years. In his role, he services everything from ride-ons to chainsaws and finds immense satisfaction in his work. “It's the satisfaction of something not working, and then, once you've put your time and effort in, you get it going again. You can't beat that feeling of knowing you have fixed something.”
Dante is not one to blow his own trumpet, but two qualities he does take pride in are his attitude and work ethic. As a direct result of these attributes, Dante was awarded Stihl Shop Apprentice of the Year. “I don’t think of myself as better than anyone else, so it was strange to receive this award. This was my first real award, even through school, so it was a great feeling.”
For Dante, receiving the accolade hasn’t changed who he is or how he approaches his work. While he says it was gratifying to have his hard work acknowledged,
recognition was never the end goal. “I’m still that hard worker that I was before. I just see it as evidence of the effort I have put in and the reward of that.”
With only a few block courses left in his Level 4 qualification, Dante is approaching the end of his apprenticeship, but he’s well aware that this doesn’t mark the end of his learning. “You’re learning every single day. No matter how much experience you gain, you’ll never reach a point where you know everything.”
If you, or someone you know, are thinking about getting into the automotive industry, Dante has this advice: “You’ve just got to have a good attitude, get on with the work, and stick with it. It can be hard at the start, but if you’ve got the drive and an open mindset to learn, you’ll be alright. It’s been a tough journey, but eventually things click and then you’re away.”
