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 at some point his daughter can be following in his footsteps – fairly actually down the identical street.
At simply 21 years outdated, Hanna Foster from Inverness has change into one of many youngest driving instructors with the AA Driving Faculty, proudly following the tyre tracks of her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 change 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 Faculty on a car-only ‘Solo’ franchise. His daughter Hanna expressed an early curiosity in driving instruction, and after passing her driving check, she started her coaching with the AA Driving Faculty.
Now absolutely 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 enchantment of driving instruction as a profession. With flexibility, job safety, and the chance to make a significant affect on learners’ lives, each Paul and Hanna see the career as a rewarding long-term path.
Paul mentioned: “I used to be on the lookout for a extra rewarding and unbiased profession. A good friend inspired me to coach as an teacher, and as soon as I began, I knew I’d discovered the fitting path.”
On Hanna’s choice to hold on the household commerce, he mentioned: “We’re immensely happy with her. Each time she will get a cross, it’s like reliving that pleasure over again. She’s doing brilliantly, and it’s pretty to have the ability to help her – even when I warn her my recommendation is likely to be a bit old style!”
“It’s superb to see her carry it ahead. It’s not one thing you see typically today – children following their mother and father right into a commerce – but it surely’s a legacy I’m proud to share.”
Hanna mentioned: “I believe I used to be about 10 once I first mentioned I wished to be a driving teacher. I’ve all the time cherished automobiles and driving. As soon as I handed my check, I knew this was what I wished to do.
“That is my long-term plan. It’s a profession that offers me flexibility and safety. Individuals will all the time have to study 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 contemplate 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 acquire confidence behind the wheel. “Being nearer in age to my pupils helps. They really feel relaxed, like they’re driving with a good friend. One in all my college students mentioned she’d by no means felt so comfortable behind the wheel.”
