15/04/15 - Blog Entry #6

Upon completing the research for this project, I have found that to operate a workshop, there is an intricate mix of environmental and consumer laws that an owner must abide by.

On the waste management front, there are many guidelines on how to practice environmentally responsible waste management.  However, there is no specific law for automotive workshops that addresses it directly.  Therefore there is a need to abide by the local district zoning plan, the Resource Management Act 1991, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, and Local Government Acts 1974 and 2002. These cover most of a workshop's duties including waste management of parts and used oils.

Similarly, I have also found out first hand that for end of life tyres, there is no specific law that governs on how it is to be disposed of.  While the minimum requirement is that they be disposed in landfills, it can generate leachate albeit in small quantities. This can be avoided if the tyres were shredded finely.  However, new specialist organisations have been formed which cater specifically to tyre disposal and management.  These groups are able to maximise the use of the tyres by giving them to farms or other places that use tyres for other purposes such as safety barriers or small structures.

In addition, there is no law or body that requires automotive technicians to qualify or register in order to practice in the trade.  It is only preferred as only workshop experience is really required.  The exception to this is when people wishing to be warrant of fitness (WOF) inspectors, they must have minimum 5 years experience in the trade to be able to register and attain a practicing certificate.

This can lead to many workshops operating with un-qualified or inexperienced technicians which can adversely affect the industry standards. Perhaps if a proper qualification and registry system can be implemented in this trade, the field can become more standardised and organised with lesser grey areas.  A higher standard of knowledge and workmanship is achieved as well.

8/04/15 - Blog Entry #5

On Saturday (4/04/15), me and my partner once again visited the workshop to observe how it operates.  We were shown the different areas of the premises which included a small reception area, waiting area, workshop servicing bays, and a storage area for both parts and items that are to be disposed.  The workshop operated on an appointment basis and once again the workload was flooding in for the staff.  We then set up a time during the following week with the manager to interview him as we could get better thought-out answers if we all had a dedicated time to sit together and discuss.

We set up the date to today (8/04/15) and interviewed him and got more answers to how the workshop operated.  It is now getting clearer with how the workshop uses the laws and its own policies to help enhance and promote the way it practices automotive services professionally.  Keeping in line withe prescribed timeline, we have commenced the writing process and will piece together the information gathered from the workshop constituents as well as pieces from our research.

29/03/15 - Blog Entry #4

This week, me and my group mate commenced the workshop observations.  Due to commitments,  me and my group mate worked out our scheduling and this week he went to observe the workshop on his own while I will join him the following weekends.  

We briefed on the activities of the weekend on Tuesday and upon visiting the workshop, my partner found it to be a very busy environment with all staff full-on with their work on 3 vehicles.  This session was then used to just observe how the workshop ran which we now know to be very busy.  

Because of this, the following weeks, we shall use the workshop observation sessions to take notes and describe while for more direct and detailed information, we will arrange meetings with staff and the manager/owner of the workshop at more convenient times.  This scheduled approach will help allow us to get more detailed information as the constituents of the workshop can concentrate and reflect on their experiences and thoughts better during a dedicated session rather than be distracted by us during their working hours. 

The next observation session will be this coming Saturday again with planned and scheduled interviews to be conducted during the weekdays for the workshop's staff.

22/03/15 - Blog Entry #3

Keeping to the schedule, last Wednesday the 18th of March, me and my groupmate were able to get permission from the workshop owner to observe its operation and contribution to the automotive industry. We were able to get an up front answer since we approached the workshop owner in person instead.

We then negotiated with the owner that our group will come in on Saturdays to observe, starting next week.

By completing this first milestone, it allows me to complete the project in a timely manner especially since this semester has a demanding schedule for me. I feel it will make the whole task less stressful when you can go step by step on a stretched and even schedule plan.

Me and my groupmate have also commenced our research on the relevant legislations for automotive professional practice. We will take this week to gather as much background and information as possible so that when we enter the workshop next week we will have a rough framework to work with as we study our case study's operations.

14/03/15 - Blog Entry #2

After writing and submitting the writing study proposal, I have outlined my tasks for the semester.  I have decided to take a structured approach so that I can follow a schedule which I found to be useful in completing major tasks.

As of the moment, the first milestone that I must complete by the 19th of March is to find a willing automotive business to be my group's observational case study.  Currently, our group has made contact with one business/workshop but have not received word whether we are given permission yet.  On Monday and Wednesday, we will continue to search, secure and finalise the automotive business that we will study and learn from.

06/03/2015 - Blog Entry #1

Today's introductory session officially commenced the course for the semester.  From initial explanations of what is to be expected in the course, a very fluid course is at hand.  By fluid I mean that what is learnt will purely rely on my effort, research and experiences this semester.  This, I feel, would be more challenging than courses that rely more on memorisation as this course would require me to think, observe and analyse critically.

With my previous studies and background in psychology and mental health, I hope to use what I have learnt in observational research to tackle the tasks set by this course.  In addition to this, use of knowledge learnt from my previous project management paper will also come in handy especially with the use of a Gantt Chart to outlay and schedule my plans.  This structured approach, will be needed to help achieve the goals set out in a prompt and timely manner.