In December, we were delighted to announce that Jamie Keech, a Fleet apprentice based at NY Highways’ Pickering workshop, had been awarded East Riding College’s Apprentice of the Year in the Scarborough and Bridlington Motor Vehicle category.
You can read the previous article here.
To celebrate his achievement on National Apprenticeship Week, we spoke with Jamie about the award and what inspires him to keep pushing forward:
- What inspired you to pursue a career in vehicle mechanics and how did you first get involved with NY Highways’ apprenticeship programme?
I really enjoy learning about how vehicles work and I have been lifelong friends with Josh Thompson, who works on the NY Highways Fleet team. I saw the opportunity and decided to apply – and here I am!I was already doing an apprenticeship elsewhere, so I joined NY Highways at Level 3 due to my previous experience. The transition was smooth as I understood the principles and had support from the team.
- What does winning the Apprentice of the Year award mean to you personally?
Steve Bowe (Fleet Manager) had noticed the award and thought I should apply – Josh Dale, my manager and Workshop Controller for Pickering, applied on my behalf.When I received the email to say I had won, I was shocked! There were so many candidates that I didn’t think I would be successful, so it was a lovely surprise, and I’m really pleased that all the hard work has paid off.
- Have you come across anything challenging during your apprenticeship so far, and how did you overcome it?
At first, there was a lot to get my head around when it came to vehicle inspections. I asked plenty of questions and, with support from the team, I soon got used to it and grew in confidence. - Have you got a project or task you’re most proud of during your training?
I’ve enjoyed everything so far and get a lot of job satisfaction. One of my proudest moments was when we were fitting gritter bodies onto QCB vehicles – I was able to identify and resolve issues on my own, which really demonstrated my problem-solving skills.
I also volunteered during the large-scale operation at the Langdale and Fylingdales moorland fire in August 2025. After completing my normal shift, I stayed back to help move vehicles between depots, making sure resources were in the right place at the right time. I didn’t get home until nearly 10pm, but I was just glad I could help.
- How do you balance learning at college with hands-on experience in the workplace?
It’s really interesting to combine the processes and principles learned at college with the practical experience at work – the styles of learning are very different. However, the theory from college helps me diagnose issues and find solutions in the workshop.I couldn’t have done this without the support of the team. For example, Dan Thompson (a chargehand at Pickering) was a great help in making sure I balanced my college work with practical tasks. The whole team has been so welcoming, and after only a week I felt like an integral part of the team rather than just a number.
- How has your confidence grown since beginning your apprenticeship?
A lot! At first I was asking lots of questions and always checking with senior staff because I was nervous about getting something wrong. After about a year, my work was only being checked at the end of each task, and my confidence has now grown to the point where I can work independently much more often.
- Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
I see my future with NY Highways – I hope to work my way up the ladder at the workshop. I like to get my hands dirty so I don’t think I’m ready for an office job! It would be great to be a chargehand or perhaps even an apprentice trainer. - What advice would you give to someone considering a motor vehicle apprenticeship?
Be prepared to be curious and ask lots of questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling. You must be a team player and open to learning new skills.