RH Commercial Vehicles is responding to a shortage of HGV technicians in the industry by training its own.

This industry-wide shortage has been growing over the past few years as more and more qualified technicians reach retirement age and there are not enough new professionals to take their place.

Recruited alongside three other apprentices during one of its recent intakes was 22-year-old Jessica Blanchard from Nottingham, who having been with the business less than six months is already being recognised as a top talent.

The company’s first female HGV technician, Blanchard said: “I’ve had a few jobs since finishing school but there was never really anything that I could get into or build a career in. I have always had an interest in cars and engines and so when I saw this role with RH Commercial Vehicles, and knowing their reputation as a business, it seemed like a fantastic opportunity!”

Stephen Astill, her manager, added: “Jessica comes to work with the right attitude and an enthusiasm to learn. She is our first female technician and is a role model for the mindset and behaviour we value at RHCV. She is only in the first year in her apprenticeship but I have faith she will go far.”

Nigel Baxter managing director at RHCV, continued: “Jessica is the sort of young person we like to encourage in our business, hard-working and enthusiastic, she sets a great example to others in our apprenticeship scheme, and we would welcome more young people like her. We certainly value the level of skill and expertise we have within our business and we complement this with a focused programme of training for our staff and apprentices in partnership with Renault Trucks.”

RHCV employs a team of 80 including 16 apprentices and is currently recruiting for experienced HGV technicians to join its teams

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