A driven young man has achieved a career distinction that's usually years in the making, earning high praise from his Dubbo employer.
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Adam Shuttleworth has reached the level of certified sales manager with Nissan at the standout age of 21.
His employer, Western Plains Automotive (WPA), understands he's the youngest person to ever attain the qualification with the vehicle brand in NSW.
It's taken Mr Shuttleworth a mere three years to progress from "nervous" trainee to the promotion.
As he started his new responsibilities this week at the Victoria Street car dealership, he reflected on his career.
Fresh out of school, the Gilgandra man said he had always had an interest in cars.
Deciding against becoming a mechanic because he realised he did not "really like getting that dirty" he looked at car sales, and scored an interview with WPA.
"I was very, very nervous, and I... had an interview, and was told I could start the next week, and that's how it started," Mr Shuttleworth said.
The star employee said in 2018 he didn't think was going to get the job, because of his age, but WPA dealer principal Grant Spencer and Nissan dealer principal Colin Wallace gave him "a shot".
He counts them as pivotal to his career's acceleration.
"I wouldn't have been able to do it without Colin... Colin's support, and Grant's as well," he said.
"It's good to know, because a lot of places you go, age is all they care about, and I have even seen that first-hand, where if you go somewhere, and someone's 20, they're like 'no you're too young, come back in five years, come back in 10 years'.
"But Colin and Grant aren't like that, it's been really good.
"It's a really good dealership to work for, lots and lots of good people, so it makes it easy to come to work every day."
...you can't just want something and think it's going to happen, you have to make sure it happens, and do everything you can to make sure it does happen.
- Adam Shuttleworth
Completing the required online training, Mr Shuttleworth saw he was "by far the youngest person there".
"So yes, it was pretty daunting," he said.
He says hard work is key.
"I know everyone says that, but just hard work, you can't just want something and think it's going to happen, you have to make sure it happens, and do everything you can to make sure it does happen," he said.
"...I guess it doesn't come down to luck, it comes down to work, and what you put into it is what you're going to get out of it."
Mr Wallace said the 21-year-old had always gone above and beyond.
"Yes, that's just the sort of guy he is, he's first one here of a morning, every morning, unlocking," he said.
"...he's shown such drive and passion towards furthering his career, and normally that sort of thing is not something you see in a young guy his age."
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