10 February 2026|News
Maintaining Momentum in the Classic Car Industry
February 9th to 15th is National Apprenticeship Week, and for us at Hilton & Moss we're proud to shine a light on four young technicians, two of which have just completed their apprenticeship, whilst the other two are just starting their journey. As an integral part of the main team, they are maintaining the momentum of the classic car industry, one restoration at a time.
These four young technicians work across our restoration and service workshops, and attend the Heritage Skills Academy located in Biscester. In 2025, the academy was named ‘Industry Supporter of the Year’ at the International Historic Motoring Awards, solidifying it as a recognised knowledge hub for the classic car industry.
By having these motivated young apprentices within our team, Hilton & Moss are preserving traditional maintenance, service and restoration techniques for classic cars, whilst building the skilled workforce needed to maintain Britain's automotive heritage.
For many younger individuals, apprenticeships offer a great pathway into the classic car industry. Cam, who completed his apprenticeship in early 2023, found that the structured programme offered something that couldn’t be replicated through conventional employment alone. "An apprenticeship was a good way into the industry as you get a double learning environment, from those around you in the workshop and also tutors at college".
Coming from an automotive family background, Cam knew he wanted to work with cars and had a passion for classic cars in particular. He discovered that working on older vehicles required knowledge that simply wasn’t available in older manuals or through online searches today. "I found the knowledge I was looking for could only be shared in a hands-on workshop environment provided by older generations, providing the knowledge and techniques needed". This direct transfer of expertise from experienced technicians to apprentices ensures that vital skills aren't lost to time and can continue to be passed on to those entering the industry for years to come.
Robbie, who completed his apprenticeship in early 2025, experienced the comprehensive nature of classic car training offered through the Heritage Skills Academy. The course allows apprentices to master foundational classic car skills, such as using traditional materials and techniques needed for classic cars that many modern technicians never encounter. For Robbie, working on gearboxes proved particularly engaging, and it is something he has continued to enjoy working on during his time at Hilton & Moss.
One of the most significant advantages of apprenticeships in the classic car sector is the breadth of exposure they provide. Our apprentices have found that by opting for this route, they have had the opportunity to handle a wider range of marques and jobs than in a standard entry-level position. "An apprenticeship put me straight in at the deep end with access to jobs that I wouldn't usually handle," Cam says. His first teaching block, centred around dismantling engines, measuring wear and reassembling them, remains a highlight of his training journey.
Harry is our young technician working in the Hilton & Moss service workshop. Although he is being trained on classic cars at the Heritage Skills Academy, everything Harry has learned over the past two years is transferable and adaptable to the more modern vehicles he works on at Hilton & Moss. In the service workshop, Harry primarily works on cars from the 1960s onwards, such as TVR and Lotus cars. He is currently completing some service work on a Ford Cortina Mark 5.
As the third generation in his family to work in the automotive industry, Harry continues a legacy that began with his grandparents who owned a garage and inspired his father to become a mechanic. For Harry, the apprenticeship has provided a pathway into a career he genuinely enjoys, having previously tried university and found that route wasn't for him.
James, one of our apprentices who started his three-year apprenticeship in June 2025, is currently part of a small cohort of approximately ten students. Whilst working at Hilton & Moss throughout the week, he's completing coursework and End Point Assessments, focusing on a different area of the vehicle for each teaching block. This systematic approach ensures a foundational knowledge that he will be able to build upon both at work and throughout his training at the academy. Commenting on completing his apprenticeship at Hilton & Moss, James highlighted an advantage: "I have the experience to learn on both modern and classic cars, so my skill set is complementary to any era of vehicle I work on". This versatility is increasingly valuable in an industry where understanding the evolution of automotive technology enhances the ability to work with a wide range of marques and vehicle types.
The apprentices at Hilton & Moss demonstrate that traditional craftsmanship and modern training can work hand in hand. Their experiences highlight why apprenticeships remain the gold standard for entering specialised industries like classic car maintenance and restoration. These vital apprenticeships ensure that the knowledge, techniques and passion required to maintain Britain's classic car industry live on for years to come.
