What it takes to be a multi-award winning apprentice

The IMI Skills Competitions showcase the amazing apprentices in the automotive sector, celebrating the skills and expertise in the industry, as well as rewarding the top talent.

The stories that comes out of the event shine a light on the amazing people, their skills and the hurdles they overcome to be the best in the country. This year is no different.

The Heavy Vehicle category was full of talent, including George Hinkley was named Scania UK’s Apprentice of the Year in 2022, and also took home Gold at the IMI Skills Competitions

Hinkley’s inspiration came predominantly from his father – an engineer by trade – and it's clear from meeting this young man that he has diesel running through his veins.

From a young age, he found himself fixing vehicles alongside his father, especially the family’s array of beloved Land Rovers. It was fitting that he learnt to drive and pass his test in one of Solihull’s finest – a Land Rover Defender 110. A vehicle which he is currently restoring.

His interest began to peak, so much so, that during the school holidays he would often be found helping out at a local bus company. Not in the usual administration jobs, but down in the garage alongside the technicians, helping them diagnose and fix problems.

George’s love affair with Scania didn’t start until a friend introduced him to the brand via a truck simulator game.

“I’m half German,” Hinkley says. “Naturally I should have a strong allegiance to either Mercedes-Benz or MAN. But I love Scania. They’re amazing.

“For me it’s the heritage, the engineering and the quality of the products. Everything is so well thought out.”

When the time came for George to take his first meaningful step onto the career ladder – as an apprentice – there was only one brand that would do. Scania.

Turning a perceived disadvantage into a huge advantage

As passionate as Hinkley is about diagnosing and fixing vehicles, there’s another strength he has. One that he’s learned to harness. Hinkley explains about his autism and how he uses it to his advantage.

“I wouldn’t call my autism a disability,” he says. “In my case I would call it an advantage. It’s quite simple really, I’ve learnt to forget the negatives and focus on what I love. And for me that is fixing trucks.

“Ever since secondary school I’ve just been addicted to researching technologies, such as the diesel cycle, different mechanical parts and discovering how it all works. When I discovered Scania’s technical information library a few months ago, I sat down and read all the manuals for 2 and 3 Series in one go. I can probably rebuild one from memory as I was sat there for three days just reading the manuals.

“It doesn’t bore me. Plus I now know how all our old technology works.”

With a voracious appetite for learning, Hinkley has a deep interest in steam, diesel, Scania vehicles and the technology and science behind how they work. Plus, how to fix them. He even has a budding interest in nuclear energy.

As future vocations go, he is clear there’s only one company for him – Scania. But while mechanically fixing trucks may be fine for today, he has loftier ambitions for the future.

“I love the company, but what I would like to do is to start restoring classic trucks or becoming an escalation technician as I enjoy diagnosing faults,” he says. “If anything comes in with a fault, I find it no matter what it is. My brain works best on logic, which is why diagnosing is so easy. Because I can go step-by-step, figure it all out with logic.”

While Hinkley has a strong personality and willingness to succeed at what he loves, he acknowledges that others, who have similar conditions may not find it so easy to follow in his footsteps.

He also appreciates that some people find it harder to understand his autism which can make communication a bit awkward. He has one piece of advice: “Forget what people say you can’t do and focus on the things you can do and enjoy doing,” he says.

It’s an approach that has worked wonders for Hinkley in 2022, taking home not only Scania’s Apprentice of the Year award, but also capturing Gold at this year’s IMI Skills Competitions.

Check out what it takes to become a medal winner at the IMI Skills Competitions