Age 16-18
A passionate motorsport fan and aspiring engineer from New City College has landed the opportunity of a lifetime – an apprenticeship with none other than Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP), the elite engineering team behind the engines powering some of Formula 1’s biggest names.
Tyler Hollington, 18, was selected from 5,000 applicants to join the Mercedes-AMG HPP team on the Level 3 Manufacturing Apprenticeship at their cutting-edge facility in Brixworth, Northamptonshire! He will begin his new role this September, relocating to a different part of the country to pursue a dream he’s had since childhood.
Currently studying Level 2 Engineering at New City College’s Construction and Engineering Campus in Rainham, Tyler has always been fascinated by the inner workings of machines – especially F1 cars. His journey into engineering was sparked after watching YouTube videos on how engine components work and how they can be built or replaced from scratch.
He said: “I’ve had a fixed mindset for a long time – I wanted to do Formula 1 stuff. There are so many types of engineers, but this was the industry I knew I wanted to be part of.”
Despite facing setbacks last year when he applied to multiple apprenticeships and didn’t receive any offers, Tyler remained determined. This year, that persistence has certainly paid off.
He explained that he was drawn to the hands-on experience an apprenticeship offers.
It’s a ‘win-win’!
“I’m more of a kinaesthetic learner, which means I learn by ‘doing’. With an apprenticeship, you’re gaining qualifications, real-world experience, and you’re earning at the same time. So it’s a win-win!”
The moment Tyler found out he’d been chosen above all the other applicants was unforgettable.
“I was speechless when they called me. As soon as the conversation ended, I called my mum straight away to tell her the good news,” he said. “It was just ‘wow’.”
Tyler’s role at Mercedes-AMG HPP will involve helping to manufacture the engines that power not only the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team but also Aston Martin, McLaren, and Williams. He hopes to one day travel to different race tracks, potentially overseas, as part of his work.
He credits much of his success to the unwavering support from his teachers and tutors at New City College.
He said: “I had to resit my English GCSE when I started college and the English department helped me massively to get where I am today. I’m also especially grateful to my engineering tutors Dave, Chris and Frank. They guided me every step of the way.”
Chris Roper, Senior Curriculum Manager for Engineering and Automotive at NCC, said: “We are so proud of Tyler. Throughout his time with us he has had an unswerving conviction to get an apprenticeship with a Formula 1 team. We told him that it was extremely hard to get into the motorsport industry and that he should maybe think about broadening his outlook, but he refused to consider other options.
“His conviction has now been rewarded and we couldn’t be happier about being wrong!”
Tyler’s apprenticeship will span four years, and by the end, he hopes to be a qualified Level 5/6 Engineer – the equivalent of a degree. He says the goal is to earn a permanent role with Mercedes and continue building a career in Formula 1’s ever-evolving world of hybrid, high-performance engines.
Tyler had some advice for others looking to follow in his footsteps: “Don’t let your dreams fade away. Pursue them. You only live once – take the shot. I didn’t get in the first time, but I tried again, and it paid off for me.”
Do you love motorsport, machines, engines and cars? Want to work with the best in the business? Join one of our Engineering or Motor Vehicle courses and take the opportunity to follow your dreams.
