Study puts teen mechanic in fast lane to career

Jack Hollows is MTA Apprentice of the Year for the Northland region. Photo/Tania Newman

A Whangarei teen is on track to becoming a master mechanic after winning a national automotive accolade.

Nineteen-year-old Jack Hollows has been named MTA Apprentice of the Year for the Northland region, based on his marks at NorthTec.

The former Kamo High School student balances working full time at IC Motor Group with studying for his level four certificate in automotive engineering at night. Ultimately, he'd like to become a master technician.

"I'm passionate about cars - that's all there is to it. I'd like to see how far I can get in the industry, became a master technician and possibly look at owning my own business one day."

He started studying automotive engineering at high school from year 9, got his first car - a Toyota Corolla - at 15, and went straight into a pre-trade course at NorthTec after finishing school.

"It's quite good having the facilities [to study automotive engineering] in Whangarei," he said.

The self-proclaimed petrol-head now drives a 1998 white Nissan Skyline and says he is a fan of watching professional drifting.

In November 2012 he started full time with IC Motor Group - where his father Lance has been the accountant for 22 years.

Mr Hollows is extremely proud of his son achievement.

"It's great, good on him. He's a car fanatic."

Jack's supervisor, IC's workshop controller Kane McEwen, is also proud of the apprentice.

"He's picked up things quickly and he's thorough. We're proud that he's done so well. He'll get up to master technician or foreman level."