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Mercedes-Benz introduces its first UK female CV breakdown specialist

28 August 2018 #CV Sector #News #TNB News

Fallon Hignett has graduated as the UK’s first female Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle breakdown specialist.

The 19-year-old from Liverpool works as a commercial vehicle technician at North-West Dealer Roanza Truck & Van. She joined the company after finishing school three years ago, earning a place on the Mercedes-Benz Apprenticeship Programme.

Fallon Hignett

Although her apprenticeship does not finish until October, she has already taken the next step on her career path by achieving the qualification required to become a mobile breakdown technician, joining the Service 24h team at Roanza’s branch in her home city.

Fallon spent time shadowing a senior colleague before embarking on a programme of on-the-job training backed by specialised courses in roadside fault diagnosis and repair, delivered at the Mercedes-Benz UK Training Centre in Milton Keynes – and accredited by the Institute of Vehicle Recovery – to gain the Service 24h qualification.

Roanza Group Aftersales Manager, Nigel Lewin, said, “We are very proud of Fallon and delighted that she has achieved this important career milestone. Her achievement proves that the commercial vehicle industry is no longer the bastion of male domination it might once have been – dedication, hard work and a ‘can do’ attitude are the key attributes for success, and she has all three in abundance. Fallon is a great example to other young people who might be considering a career in our industry.”

Fallon Hignett

Fallon said, “I’ve always found workshop assignments interesting but dealing with vehicles at the roadside presents an extra test. I love the unpredictability of this job – you never know what you’re going to be faced with when you start a shift – and it’s nice to get out there and meet the people who drive our vehicles.

Her drive to succeed has been evident since a very young age. She took up kickboxing at just seven years of age, is currently training six times a week and has a World Championship belt in the 16-18 age category in her trophy cabinet.

“I think I probably bring the same combative approach to my work,” she added. “I don’t like to back down from a challenge!”

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