At a time, and in an industry, where recruitment and retention of new talent is more challenging than ever, we should celebrate young talent such as Isaac Rooney, our 2025 HVIA National Awards Heavy Vehicle Specialist Trades Apprentice of The Year.
Working for Volvo Commercial Vehicles (VCV) and completing his apprenticeship just last year, Isaac impressed the judges who described him as “an exceptionally well-rounded apprentice who demonstrates both a strong eagerness to learn and natural leadership ability. His talent for building positive relationships with peers, senior colleagues and customers, combined with his drive to innovate efficiencies and champion safety, has led to this high mark.”
Impressively, they added: “This is probably one of the best nominations I have seen come through. His skill set goes above and beyond and would have great potential to be more.”
What’s more, his employer agrees. VCV says that since joining the team three-and-a-half years ago, Isaac has consistently exceeded expectations.
“His passion for automotive electrical systems, combined with a strong work ethic and proactive mindset, has set him apart. He goes beyond task completion, always seeking to understand the ‘why’ behind systems and faults,” they say.
Now a qualified auto electrician, Isaac has taken a special interest in electrical and diagnostics. In his first year he restored a vehicle severely damaged by a chassis fire. By removing all chassis harnesses and ECU’s and rebuilding and rewiring them to ensure no faults, the vehicle was fully repaired to a high standard.
VCV praised him for his initiative in “actively contributing to workshop team meetings, suggesting practical improvements such as reorganising the diagnostic tools area and test ECU storage system, which are currently being implemented to increase efficiency and reduce repetitive tasks.”
It’s clear that Isaac is a vital member of the VCV team and a future leader in the heavy vehicle industry. He has obtained his certificate in ‘Hybrid and EV Skill Set’ and was one of the first team members to achieve this. He has now serviced countless electric trucks.
When asked about his career goals and ambitions, Isaac says, “I have really valued my apprenticeship; it has provided me with the foundation of strong technical skills whilst also learning how to be a professional in and out of the workshop”.
He adds, “Working alongside experienced tradespeople has taught me importance of high-quality work, staying organised and strong communication skills.
“I appreciate the business side of the trade, like meeting critical deadlines, maintaining customer satisfaction, and running efficient jobs for the future of the business.”
Isaac is keen to progress through the company and take on leadership and training roles in the future as well as continuing to learn, develop and understand the industry.
When asked what winning the award meant to him, Isaac says, “Winning the 2025 Heavy Vehicle Specialist Trades Apprentice of the Year Award has meant a great deal to me. It has been both inspiring and motivating, particularly through the opportunities it created to connect with influential people in the industry at the awards night.
“The recognition has also opened doors within my current role as a Sales Associate in the National Fleet team, helping me build stronger relationships with suppliers and customers who now know me through the award.
“Beyond that, it has helped establish a sense of credibility and respect within the industry, something especially valuable as a young person building a long-term career.”
Isaac is a worthy recipient of the 2025 Heavy Vehicle Specialist Trades Apprentice of the Year Award (sponsored by Wurth), and we congratulate him and all the incredible nominees for this award and wish them all the best of luck with their careers.
Our apprentices are so vital to the future of our industry and bright sparks like Isaac must be celebrated. Please start thinking about who in your workshop should be nominated for the 2026 awards. We can’t wait to hear more about the next generation of apprentices and how they are shaping and adding value to our wonderful industry.
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