I Missed KWL and Realised I Wanted to Come Back

Danny Petch started his career 18 years ago, straight from school, by completing a Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship with Hull City Council. Always wanting to work as a mechanic, he felt lucky to kick off his career with the Local Authority.

His love for tinkering with cars and anything mechanical came from his Grandad, who was always working on a project and encouraged Danny to get involved.

In his third year, Danny felt the urge to try something new. His manager at the time, Ian Campion, was supportive and suggested that working at a dealership would be a great way to broaden his skills.

So, Danny left the Fleet team and joined Citroën in Hull, where he honed his diagnostic skills. After that, he worked at the Docks with forklifts and cranes, then with East Riding Council’s Fleet team. He even got his HGV license and spent a year driving large trucks. But he soon realised that the steering wheel-bound lifestyle wasn’t for him. When a job opened up back at KWL Fleet, he jumped at the chance to return.

Mike Vining, Fleet and Engineering Manager – and one of Danny’s old Mentors during his apprenticeship – was thrilled to have him back. When asked why he came back, Danny said simply, “I missed KWL, the team, and the job.”

Danny says: “After working in different places for a while, I’ve gained a lot of experience and new skills that I’ve brought back to KWL Fleet. The opportunities here are clear – if I want to go for a promotion, I know it’s possible.”

Since returning in February, Danny has never been happier. He’s brought his wide range of skills back to the workshop and has taken on further training in vehicle diagnostics, an area that’s constantly evolving in vehicle engineering.

Outside of work, Danny enjoys looking after his classic Ford Fiesta and taking it to car shows. He also has a wife and a 6-year-old son, who’s already showing an interest in tinkering and often asks to use the tools.

Mike adds: “We’re really pleased Danny chose to come back to KWL Fleet. It says a lot about the company as an employer and the great career opportunities that are available to us. When good people leave the business, we always leave the door open and Danny is a great success story.”

Welcome back to KWL Fleet Danny!