When Paul Foster swapped his hospital scrubs for a steering wheel greater than three a long time in the past, he couldn’t have imagined that someday his daughter can be following in his footsteps – fairly actually down the identical highway.
At simply 21 years previous, Hanna Foster from Inverness has turn into one of many youngest driving instructors with the AA Driving College, proudly following the tyre tracks of her father, who celebrates 31 years within the career this July.
Beginning out as a nurse earlier than coaching to turn into an teacher, Paul’s profession has taken him from city centres like London and Luton to the agricultural roads of Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire, the place he’s now based mostly. He began coaching aged 24 with BSM earlier than becoming a member of the AA Driving College on a car-only ‘Solo’ franchise. His daughter Hanna expressed an early curiosity in driving instruction, and after passing her driving take a look at, she started her coaching with the AA Driving College.
Now totally certified, Hanna is constructing a shopper base of learners in Thurso in Caithness, within the Highlands of Scotland. She at present balances her instruction work with a part-time job at a neighborhood surgical procedure, with plans to transition to full-time instruction later this 12 months. Her age and approachability have made her well-liked amongst youthful learners, who typically describe her classes as relaxed and pleasant.
The Foster household’s story highlights the intergenerational attraction of driving instruction as a profession. With flexibility, job safety, and the chance to make a significant impression on learners’ lives, each Paul and Hanna see the career as a rewarding long-term path.
Paul mentioned: “I used to be searching for a extra rewarding and unbiased profession. A buddy inspired me to coach as an teacher, and as soon as I began, I knew I’d discovered the proper path.”
On Hanna’s resolution to hold on the household commerce, he mentioned: “We’re immensely happy with her. Each time she will get a move, it’s like reliving that pleasure once more. She’s doing brilliantly, and it’s pretty to have the ability to assist her – even when I warn her my recommendation may be a bit old style!”
“It’s wonderful to see her carry it ahead. It’s not one thing you see typically nowadays – youngsters following their dad and mom right into a commerce – however it’s a legacy I’m proud to share.”
Hanna mentioned: “I feel I used to be about 10 after I first mentioned I needed to be a driving teacher. I’ve all the time beloved automobiles and driving. As soon as I handed my take a look at, I knew this was what I needed to do.
“That is my long-term plan. It’s a profession that provides me flexibility and safety. Individuals will all the time have to be taught to drive.
“It’s not one thing folks my age take into consideration sufficient. I’ve secured a future profession with flexibility and independence. It’s not only a job – it’s a life-style.”
Each Hanna and Paul encourage others to think about driving instruction as a profession. They emphasise that it presents independence, flexibility, and the prospect to make an actual distinction in folks’s lives.
Hanna highlights the accessibility of the career for younger folks and the satisfaction of serving to others achieve confidence behind the wheel. “Being nearer in age to my pupils helps. They really feel relaxed, like they’re driving with a buddy. One in every of my college students mentioned she’d by no means felt so relaxed behind the wheel.”
