After a knowledge exam, six practical tasks the top six Heavy Vehicle Technology apprentices are heading to the IMI Skills Competitions finals in November to find out who will be crowned winner and the best in the sector. Meet the stars of the automotive sector who are vying for the ultimate prize…
Keep an eye on the IMI website and social streams to find out how the IMI Skills Competitions Finals unfold in November and for your chance to appear in the 2025 lineup, sign up for updates https://tide.theimi.org.uk/industry-latest/events/imi-skills-competitions
Name – Mihaly Zeke
Employer- Watts Truck and Van Cardiff
Skill – Heavy Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far :
“I like to take any new experience I can get the chance to experience, and so far it’s been a really good one. Its been nice going to a new place and the venue to compete. I think I stuck out a bit on my qualifier day as I was the only DAF technician there, but I performed the same as I would have any other day, and that was enough. It was challenging working on a new brand of lorry because things looked different, but clear instructions and a logical process, especially on the Gearbox task meant that I enjoyed the challenge.
Career journey so far:
“I grew up here in the UK, but since I was young was often around farming equipment and vehicles with my family back in Hungary, and I always liked helping out with tractors, taking things apart and fixing things. I had applied to do an apprenticeship before Covid, but when that happened, I did a bit of work at an independent and doing engine rebuild work. Eventually I was able to apply again and got the job, I could have done something completely different like art which I was interested in, but I’m glad I followed my interests”
Future aspirations:
I still have to progress where I am and move up in the ladder. And so that’s one path I see. The other option I see is having my own workshop running my own workshop one day. That’s always been something that’s interested me.
Employer and manager comments:
Mike is very confident and very calm which lends well to the competition environment. He wanted to put himself forward and we were happy when he went and won the Welsh competition. But to go forward from there then make it into the UK national final is even better. We’ve been a DAF dealer for years and the Brand has always been represented well in the world skills, but mike is the first from our depot which is great.
Advice for new apprentices:
We feel it is really important to set realistic expectations about the working conditions and what’s expected, sometimes a job looks and sounds good on paper the but the reality is sometimes very different, so do a bit of research and enjoy the rewarding feeling the job provides reality is sometimes very different, so do a bit of research and enjoy the rewarding feeling the job provides.
Name – Toby Hull
Employer- Truck East Norwich (Scania)
Skill – Heavy Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
Having competed in the 2023 qualifiers, Toby has gone one step further in reaching the finals in 2024 “I think its been a bit better this year, once you are used to the way the day is set up it’s like being at work going from one job to the next, that’s the best way to approach it. I’ve enjoyed the experience even the challenging bits like learning new products or the High-voltage task
Career journey so far:
“My dad is a truck mechanic so I’ve always been into Automotive, I thought about working on cars, but I can do that in my own time and its nice to do something different for work everyday. I started my apprenticeship straight out of school and managed to complete my qualification a bit early. Taking part in the competition before, as well as the Scania apprentice competition has really boosted my confidence”
Future aspirations:
I’d like to do more training on electric truck technology, and work towards master tech, then eventually work on the recovery side of the business
Employer and manager comments:
Toby’s manager Paul says “for us as a business, as a manager and a branch were really proud of him. Its good for the business and great for new apprentices to see that we do make a big deal out of achievements”
Advice for new apprentices:
Keep trying, asking as many questions as you can help keep it interesting, and really listen and act on the answers you get.
Name – Matthew Hatton
Employer- Inter County Truck and van
Skill – Heavy Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
“The national qualifier was really a good fun day actually, some of the tasks were challenging enough to be a good test for myself, but not to the point of being overwhelming. The time element on some of the tasks was a bit tense but generally managed it ok, which I’m happy about as, at times I don’t think I really do well under pressure, but especially with the competition, taking a step back to realise it’s pretty normal, once you’re up and running compared to what I do every day helped. Also meeting other apprentices from other garages and brands was interesting to see the different approaches.
Career journey so far:
My first thoughts apart from 6th form were to learn a trade in the Army, as we’d seen them at one of our school career events, but I wasn’t really sure. In the end, my dad suggested I look at Truck apprenticeships, as he knows a few people in the industry. Obviously, Covid hit so I ended up doing a mechanics course as there weren’t many apprenticeships at that time. Once id finished that I applied for this job and was successful.
Future aspirations:
I’ve recently completed my EPA, so in the next couple of years I want to progress with Mercedes up to be a systems tech, and eventually a technical specialist, which is equivalent to master tech with other brands. And of course that would include specialist training like EV.
Employer and manager comments:
“Matthew getting into the top six is a credit to his effort over the last three years in his apprenticeship to be honest. Matthew’s grafted for his apprenticeship and this achievement proves that he is capable and he has done a really good job for us. Also a bonus that he’s the only Mercedes truck finalist which reflects well on the business as well as himself.
Advice for new apprentices:
Getting hands-on experience in the actual world is much more beneficial on something like heavy vehicles and the motor industry rather than sitting in a classroom all day learning that way and sticking it out at times when it’s tough teaches you how to be resilient which is important.
Name – Harry Brown
Employer- Fife Council
Skill – Heavy Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
“It’s been really, really interesting, quite nice to challenge the skills in a way that’s measurable, obviously at work the only measurement how long it takes, whereas this especially with the judges feedback shows my actual technical proficiency of the skill as well. So it’s quite, it’s quite interesting. I’ve really enjoyed it, being able to go down to the Scania Training Centre and see how their training centre is actually laid out. It’s bit nice.” The biggest hurdle I had was the very first challenge, the EV to make safe, check and diagnose, took a bit of getting used to as the training I’ve done is on real vehicles so it looks and is set out differently, but after a while I got it”
Career journey so far:
in school, I’d always wanted to get into engineering, or architecture but engineering just seemed a lot cooler. I was torn between going to university, I did a little bit of game development, something else I was interested in, but ultimately I decided to look for an apprenticeship. I didn’t actually get the job the first year I applied, but saw it again the following year and went for it again, happily I got it and I’ve been enjoying it ever since.
Future aspirations:
I’m glad I work on trucks because they are always ahead in terms of technology, so ill keep on making the most of that and training on the latest tech, while working my way up to senior and hopefully master tech eventually.
Employer and manager comments:
On behalf of Fife Council obviously it’s fantastic the fact Harry’s come from not knowing anything to being a finalist in the competition, so for us as an organisation it’s a great endorsement. Not just for the organisation but also Harry’s mentor and the wider team who all chip in with guidance when needed”
Advice for new apprentices:
“Don’t be shy asking questions because the more you learn from mistakes you make, the faster you’re going to get better at doing the job. if you try to cover your back when things go wrong it’ll end up worse, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and just get stuck in.
Name – Callum Stewart
Employer- Tayside Contracts
Skill – Heavy Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
Overall, it’s been fantastic so far. It’s been a good kind of confidence builder as well as anything else. It’s been good meeting other people in the industry, not just within the area. Work on different things every day, and even just speaking to the boys at the hotel and everything during the qualifiers. Was really good. Highlights would definitely be, going to Scania and seeing everything in the scan your workshop. And also getting to work on scanners because that’s not something we do here. So it’s adding to my experience even more.
Career journey so far:
I’ve been through so many different kinda passing thoughts throughout high school of what I wanted to do, but nothing really stuck and it was when I was leaving school that I really sat down and had a good think and I thought I’ve always been interested in automotive and engineering. And it just, it seemed like the right fit for me.
I went to a year of college full time college after I left school, which was light vehicle maintenance. My full college course in light vehicle and was unfortunately made redundant just before I’d served my time. Just as COVID hit But I’d I’d always heard great things about Tayside contracts. You know for people I know who worked here in the past or who work here even now.
So that was my kind of first protocol. Once I know I was being made redundant. Had an interview here and start here in 2021. Training’s just on a different level. It’s so much more in depth and like Bob says, we’ve got a huge variety of fleets. So you’re working on a new thing every day and it’s just a constant learning process.
Future aspirations:
With hydrogen and EVs and that becoming more commonplace, obviously qualifications and that and further development and and kind of knowledge of that those areas will obviously be fundamental into the industry pretty soon. So definitely be looking into doing stuff like that.
Employer and manager comments:
One of the big challenges I’ve found is getting a good mentor for the apprentices and I think one of the things I’ve learned is that a good mechanic is not necessarily a good mentor. It’s about understanding that there’s a lot to learn and never think that you know it because you, I’ve, I’ve been in this, I’m going to give my age away here. But I started my apprenticeship as a mechanic in 1968. So put that one back and you’ll get to 50 whatever years, right. And it just constantly evolves the job just constantly evolves.
You need an element of luck as well-being in the right place at the right time when the opportunity comes along, and I’ve been fortunate in that respect, but it’s all it’s all been experience and learning. You never stop learning, that’s the key.
Advice for new apprentices:
Take on board what you’re being told. I know it’s pretty obvious, but it’s too easy to care. Let things go in one ear and out the other, and then. And as she as she progressed through your your apprenticeship, things all get harder and you need to kind of adapt with that.
And as you build up your confidence, you need to make sure that you have confidence in what what you know, but also be aware that there’s a lot of things you don’t know and you can’t be. You can’t let yourself get overconfident if you know what I mean, because that can lead to mistakes or even disputes and workplaces and things like that. And you just you’re always learning, you know, just always keep an open mind and be ready for advice, knowledge from other people.
Name – Connor Blades
Employer- Scania GB
Skill – Heavy Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
Connor is a returning 2023 IMI Skills Competitor. “I found the electric one, the high voltage one, quite challenging.” “I’ve had another year’s experience, so I went into the competition with a lot more knowledge than I did last year.”
Career journey so far:
“I actually went to university first to do physical education. I finished my degree with a bachelor’s degree. And then there was no real there was not really any jobs So I got looking and I applied to work for Audi. And then obviously I work with my dad here. So I had a conversation with him and he was saying to me about the benefits of working with Scania and how Scania would be a good company to work for.”
Future aspirations:
“Just to keep going, the way I’m going, keep moving up the ladder. If that’s technician wise or I want to get as far as I can as a technician and then I’ll see what it holds from there. If I if that maybe be like workshop control that sort of way. Open up that route.
I just say getting there’s not as much training courses as I can and get myself up those ladders. So like the master tech, the escalation tech level, we’ve got a really good structure in the scan, yet in corners in September, you’re getting your class one. So he’s got he’s going to do his Class 1 licence.”
Employer and manager comments:
“I think the experience working at McDonald’s has helped Connor because it’s customer-facing. He understands what our customers are going through just the same as it does in a restaurant. You know people, customers need serves. So not only in the technical aspect, which is excelling here. He’s got another bit of knowledge in there on the back. He’s mine because he’s had that experience before he joined us.”
Regarding the competition “It’s a really good barometer for us because it because it’s we’re up against everybody else. All the apprentices are up against everybody else. So we can we can gauge what we’re up to as well, you know, and the standards and that that we set within that within the training platform.”
Advice for new apprentices:
Definitely ask plenty of questions. There’s never a stupid question to ask. They’ll always give you an answer, and if you come in, keep your head down and work hard, you’ll see the rewards. You need to take away the school brain and how that went for you and then apply yourself to the working environment you’re in.