No ordinary day job—Dylan Bennett wins AADS Apprentice of the Year
Dylan Bennett, a diesel fuel technician at Diesel Specialists Limited, has been named the Association of Australasian Diesel Specialists (AADS) Apprentice of the Year 2025.
Dylan, who completed his apprenticeship with MITO in August 2024, has a passion for diagnosing problems that few others can tackle.
“Our industry is shrinking,” he says. “There aren’t many of us specialist diesel workshops compared to general workshops and it’s a great industry to be in; we’re always busy and there’s no shortage of work. I’d definitely recommend taking the next step—become specialised.”
Dylan’s role is anything but ordinary. His day-to-day tasks range from repairing fuel injection systems and turbochargers to working on vehicles, fuel pumps, and injectors in the fuel room. He also handles invoicing and quotes—a true mix of hands-on technical work and business responsibilities.
Dylan Bennett with Business Owners Jared and Alana Watkins, and dog, Millie.
Banner image L-R: MITO Manager Corporate Brian Scott, Dylan Bennett, MITO Training Advisor Eugene Bensemann, and Business Owners Jared and Alana Watkins.
What keeps Dylan motivated? The variety.
“Every day brings something new—no two days are the same. It’s such a blessing not to be stuck doing oil changes and tyre replacements day in and day out. The diversity keeps things exciting and mentally stimulating. This role challenges you to think, adapt, and grow. It’s definitely not boring—and that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
Behind Dylan’s success is strong support. Jared, the owner of Diesel Specialist Limited, signed him up for an apprenticeship and encouraged him to get qualified. That guidance was pivotal, Dylan says.
“My confidence has grown immensely since starting the apprenticeship. It gave me the essential foundation—the basic knowledge I needed before diving deeper into the trade. The structured learning, combined with Jared’s mentoring, was invaluable.”
Dylan’s now fully qualified, having completed MITO’s New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Diesel Fuel Technology (Level 4). He credits MITO for making the journey smoother:
“MITO’s support was only a phone call away. There were challenges—like sourcing specific pumps and completing tasks still required in the curriculum—but the support made all the difference. From guidance on repairs to feedback on assessments, even the assessors were there every step of the way. People will be surprised by the amount of feedback, advice, and opportunities they can get through MITO.”
For Dylan, the apprenticeship wasn’t just about earning a qualification—it was a confidence booster and a career-defining experience.
So winning the AADS Apprentice of the Year has been an unexpected highlight:
“It’s great—I didn’t think it was on the cards at all. It wasn’t really a thing that, even when starting the apprenticeship, I thought was an opportunity. To be recognised like that is a huge surprise and an honour.”
