In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2024 we would like to introduce one of our apprentice HGV Technicians, Dave Fox-Williams.

From Banger Racing to HGV Technician!

16 yr old Dave Fox-Williams, Apprentice HGV Technician joined our depot at North Devon Council as a school leaver in August 2023.

“I prefer to be hands-on and doing something practical so doing an apprenticeship really appealed to me. I’ve grown up around HGV’s; my dad is a refuse vehicle driver and my grandad used to be a loader, both for the council. I used to be a banger racing driver (you can race from age 12!) and that got me interested in mechanics.”

Dave works 4 days a week at the depot and goes to college one day each week.  He will qualify as a Level 3 HGV Technician in 2026.  The work he carries out at the depot supports his learning at college; and he uploads photos and job cards as a record of the skills he is developing. Dave has been assigned a mentor Darren Polden, Workshop Techician, to guide and support him:

Darren: “Dave is very positive and willing to learn.  He’s progressing well and developing into a good HGV technician.  The hands-on aspect of an apprenticeship helps to reinforce and support the classroom learning.”

What do you like most about the job Dave?

Dave: “HGVs are much more interesting to cars; there’s much more to learn. Wiring faults interest me. I enjoy troubleshooting and trying to identify where the problem is.

“I have a good time at work; we always have a laugh, and the team are very supportive. This industry is great, and I feel lucky compared to what some of my friends are doing.”

What are your ambitions for the future?

“I really just want to get fully qualified, continue working with HGVs, and get better and better at working on them.”

Although he doesn’t race himself anymore, in his spare time Dave is helping a friend build their own banger racing car.

We wish you the best of luck qualifying as a Level 3 HGV Technician!