Apprenticeships are undergoing a significant transformation, with programs increasingly designed to equip trainees with a blend of traditional craft skills and modern digital proficiency. This evolution is particularly evident in fields like automotive restoration, where apprentices learn to work on classic vehicles using both time-honored techniques and cutting-edge technology.
Ollie Priestley, a 29-year-old undertaking a heritage vehicle technician apprenticeship at Tolman, a specialist car restoration business, exemplifies this trend. His training combines the intricacies of modern vehicle electronics with skills in areas such as computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing for fabricating new components. Priestley notes the satisfaction of creating parts, like a gearbox mount for a classic BMW, which contribute to bringing vehicles back to life.
Chris Tolman, founder of Tolman, contrasts this with apprenticeships in mainstream dealerships, where technicians may rely heavily on diagnostic computers to identify and replace parts, potentially reducing their role to that of 'fitters.' Specialist businesses, he explains, require technicians who can diagnose issues, understand underlying principles, and creatively devise solutions.
The Heritage Skills Academy (HSA) in Bicester has updated its curriculum to reflect these changing demands. Their three-year heritage vehicle technician apprenticeship, introduced in 2018, incorporates digital skills like 3D printing and CAD alongside traditional methods such as welding and glazing. This level three apprenticeship is designed to offer a more comprehensive skillset than its predecessors.
Data on government apprenticeships indicates a shift away from intermediate (level two) apprenticeships towards higher levels (four to seven), which are equivalent to degrees. While numbers for level three apprenticeships have remained stable, the trend suggests a growing demand for more advanced training.
John Pitchforth, managing director of HSA, argues that integrating modern technology with engineering fundamentals produces highly skilled graduates. He observes that some engineers transitioning into the heritage sector lack basic engineering principles and are overly reliant on diagnostic software, unable to troubleshoot systems independently. The HSA's approach aims to prevent this by ensuring apprentices develop a deep understanding of both the craft and the tools used to enhance it.