A successful Ferrari parts expert has put his career at full throttle by completing his first apprenticeship at the age of 40.

James Klimowicz overcame significant life challenges – including the sudden death of his father – to achieve a distinction in his Level 3 team leader apprenticeship with training provider Realise.

James is spare parts manager at Stratstone Ferrari in Colchester and hopes the new qualification will help him push forward in his role.

“I was doubting myself and thought I had failed, so to come away with a distinction is amazing,” said James, speaking during National Apprenticeship Week.

“We are a small team in Colchester and I also have to cover the Kent dealership, so it was difficult juggling my commitments with the apprenticeship.

“Then, right in the middle of my programme, I lost my dad to a heart issue we didn’t believe was serious.

“I was emotionally and physically exhausted but the support I received from Realise, and more specifically my trainer Chris Ward, encouraged me to keep going.

“I was given the freedom to attend sessions remotely when I had other family responsibilities and could have some time out when I needed. Chris believed in me more than I believed in myself.”

Father-of-two James, who lives in Bury St Edmunds, started at Ferrari three years ago having previously worked at Volkswagen for two decades.

James also completed his Functional Skills English and maths qualifications alongside the apprenticeship.

“It was bit scary starting at apprenticeship at my age as it felt like I was going back to school,” he said. “Having to do English and maths on top, as I didn’t manage the required grades at school, made it more complicated.

“I am not one for long essays and sometimes I find it hard to take all the information in, but the programme was fantastic in that there was more discussion-based learning. I felt that talking things through as a group helped to get more people involved.

“It’s great to have the apprenticeship under my belt. I’m really happy where I am working with a prestigious brand like Ferrari, but in the future it could help me find other management roles.

Realise is one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the UK. The Level 3 team leader programme is a 15-month programme that provides a sound understanding of what is expected of managers, including modules in building relationships, communication and problem solving.

For more information, visit www.realisetraining.com