Partner Article

Willis drives his way to the top with Master Technician qualification

An award-winning employee at East Midlands Renault Trucks distributor, RH Commercial Vehicles (RHCV), has become one of the youngest professionals to qualify as a Master Technician – the highest recognised technical level in the motor vehicle industry. 25-year-old Daniel Willis from Stapleford, Nottinghamshire underwent a rigorous testing process after being nominated by his Manager, Stephen Astill. He was taught by Renault Trucks and Stephenson College in Coalville, Leicestershire. Awarded by the Institute of Motor Industry, students can only undertake the qualification when nominated by their Managers. It is centred around an 18-month learning programme and six written and practical modules. However, due to the level of training and difficulty, only a maximum of eight students can be taught in the class at one time. The qualification provides the groundwork for employees to eventually progress into management roles through learning how to benefit the business commercially, how to diagnose system faults on trucks, rectify issues and be a mentor to apprentices. Having begun his career at RHCV in 2008 when he was 16, Daniel completed his apprenticeship through the Renault Training Centre where he was awarded Apprentice of the Year at the Renault Trucks Achievers’ event two years running. He quickly progressed in his career moving up through the ranks to Technician and eventually Shift Supervisor where he now uses his experience and knowledge to support and mentor other apprentices. Daniel said: “I am delighted to have qualified as a Master Technician as I now have had the sufficient commercial and technical training to help RHCV as a business while also helping to develop apprentices at the start of their careers, by using my own previous experience and knowledge to guide them. “RHCV supported me and encouraged me throughout the process. The company has always been a true family business that has urged me to progress in my career since the beginning and they see each of their employees as an integral part of the company.” Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, RH Commercial Vehicles (RHCV) is one of the largest commercial vehicle dealerships in the East Midlands and has a reputation for training and retaining some of the best transport industry talent in the region. The company currently employs 90 staff across sites in Nottingham, Cossington (Leics) and Alfreton (Derby). Stephen Astill, Aftermarket Manager for Nottingham added: “At RHCV, we are passionate about providing skills to our employees to help them nurture and grow within the business and Daniel is a testimony to the quality of the qualification. “We couldn’t be more proud of Daniel. Success stories like his shows what can be achieved with hard work and dedication and he is the ideal role model to successfully train and mentor RHCV’s apprentices.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rebecca .