Can a 14 year old work in an auto shop if he knows what he is doing?

Can a 14 year old work in an auto shop if he knows what he is doing?
By all means!!I've got co-op kids in my shop from the local schools on an on-going basis. Some of them (depending on maturity) do a great job and we've hired them when they get done with school and they've made excellent mechanics. Biggest thing is to be able to work without constantly being told, eg: cleanup in down time. A good work ethic (hard worker), cleancut (presentable, as you will be seen by customers), use your head to figure things out (ask as a last resort and only ask the same question once) and don't make the same mistake twice will help to make for a future in the automotive industry.Make sure you don't waste a mechanic's time, he's working to make a living and feed his family and time he takes to help you he loses time/money. Be thankful and appreciative and maybe buy him a coffee from time to time if you're benefiting from free knowledge and advice.Just some hints from an employer's perspective :-)