Master of his trade

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.

Daniel Willis, 25, from Nottinghamshire underwent a rigorous testing process after being nominated by his manager, Stephen Astill. He was taught by Renault Trucks and Stephenson College in Leicestershire.

Awarded by the Institute of Motor Industry, the qualification 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.

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.’

Stephen 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. 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.’