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 straight from school three years ago, after earning a place on the Mercedes-Benz apprenticeship programme.

Hignett (pictured) is relishing the challenge of her new role, she 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.

“It’s also highly satisfying to be able to diagnose and fix a fault, then send the driver on their way. They’re invariably impressed and grateful for the help we provide, which makes it all the more rewarding.”

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, and join the Service 24h team at Roanza’s branch in her home city.

Hignett had already 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 her Service 24h qualification.

Roanza Group’s aftersales manager Nigel Lewin said: “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.”

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