First female workshop apprentice appointed at National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

Emily Leese, 18, joins the museum’s workshop team to help maintain and restore its collection of more than 250 historic vehicles.

Classic car fanatic Emily has been a volunteer at the National Motor Museum since the age of 14 and is starting a four-year apprenticeship, which is being funded by a small group of Beaulieu One Hundred members.

Her training will be overseen by apprenticeship provider Heritage Skills Academy, which specialises in enabling trainees to work towards industry-standard qualifications as part of its Heritage Engineering Apprenticeships programme.

Spending most of her time based in the museum workshop at Beaulieu to gain vital hands-on experience, Emily will also study the skills of the trade with Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist P&A Wood in Essex as block release study, working towards Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Classic Vehicle Restoration.

Says National Motor Museum manager and chief engineer Doug Hill said: “Ever since Emily first visited us for work experience four years ago, I have been impressed by her enthusiasm and determination. I was the last apprentice to complete my training here at the National Motor Museum 40 years ago, so it makes me exceptionally proud to offer this opportunity to a new recruit by employing Emily as our apprentice in the workshop.

“It has been a long process to make that happen but with the help of our sponsors, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs and many others, we can move a huge step forward in ensuring our legacy of knowledge is safe for the future.”