<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An Adelaide mechanic who left two trainees alone to run his service centre has been banned from employing apprentices indefinitely.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Scott Thornton, who previously owned Ultra Tune franchises in Aberfoyle Park and Seaford, was found to have left two apprentices unsupervised for a week while he went on holiday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is some of the most extreme conduct I've seen from an employer during my two years as a commissioner in this state," South Australian Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker said. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-cctv-shows-woman-randomly-stabbed-while-walking-in-broad-daylight/0f1383c0-1eec-44d0-90fc-da6c4f46a0c5"><strong><span>Woman randomly stabbed while walking to work in broad daylight</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thornton defended his actions, saying the trainees were capable enough to work independently.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It was my understanding at the time that senior apprentices could work unsupervised," he said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They were more than capable of doing basic servicing, they had been in the trade for three-plus years," he added.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/adelaide-mechanic-banned-apprentices/98d3edff-dae1-4731-af26-bd3efcb7b12c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's only the second time the powers banning business owners from taking on apprentices have been used in South Australia, after a Domino's franchisee was hit with a similar ban earlier this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We know apprentices are vulnerable because of their age and they are starting out," Education Minister Blair Boyer said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/mcdonalds-king-street-newtown-council-votes-to-refuse-application/360a7ec3-02b6-44b6-9e72-26d768eecd88"><strong><span>Residents win fight against McDonald's over proposed restaurant on beloved street</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We do take this very seriously, and we want to make sure that apprentices and trainees are safe at work."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When apprentices and trainees are left alone, that is when injuries happen. And dare I say, that's when the potential for fatalities to happen," Baker said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thornton says he will appeal his ban and that he hopes to be able to employ apprentices again.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I've been training apprentices for 20 plus years and never had a problem," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My track record is unblemished."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>