KWL Fleet appoints a new Fleet and Engineering Manager

Mike Vining was recently promoted to Fleet and Engineering Manager at KWL Fleet on Stockholm Road.

He is another great example of a rising star at KWL after starting his first job after school, with Hull City Council in 2001. Now Mike is celebrating 20 years at KWL Fleet.

At school Mike had considered being a chef but picked up a careers brochure from Hull City Council, highlighting the apprenticeship opportunities. He decided on the four-year apprenticeship to gain an NVQ Level 3 in Motor Vehicle Repair with the Fleet team

KWL has always invested heavily in employee training and Mike has been able to undertake courses to continuously improve his varied skills and knowledge.

Starting out as an Apprentice, Mike has been Fleet Supervisor for a number of years and this year was promoted to Fleet and Engineering Manager, overseeing daily activities in the workshop and 26 staff.

Mike explains: “I started my career as a motor vehicle technician apprentice at Hull City Council with the former North Humberside Group Training Association for 4 years.

“After that, I was offered a permanent role with Hull City Council and a few years later I gained my NVQ Level 3 in Heavy Vehicle. As the Manager, I’m ultimately responsible for everything that happens in the workshop. I’ve gained so much experience and feel that KWL has fully supported my development over the years. The benefit to KWL is the fact that I know the business inside out,  I know the vehicles and have developed great working relationships with people in all of the different departments whose vehicles we look after. This vast experience creates knowledge of the problems that can arise and how to find the solutions.”

“As a business we are investing more and more into electric vehicles. We all know that electric is the future as the whole Fleet is gradually moving over. In the near future we are planning a dedicated bay for electric vehicles. Therefore, training for these vehicles will be our focus in 2022.”

“For me the best thing about working for KWL is the people and the variety of vehicles we get to work on. KWL Fleet feels very much like family. After all, we spend more time with the people at work than family members and friends.”

Mike still enjoys working on his tools, when the job requires it and sees the importance of keeping a hand in.

On a personal level, Mike is the only male at home, living with his partner of 17 years and their two daughters aged 15 and 12. Plus a female dog, a female cat and a female tortoise.

It’s quite the opposite at work with mostly males in the KWL Fleet workshop. However, as a business we are keen to welcome women into the construction and motor vehicle sectors. Please look out for our apprentice opportunities which usually become available in the Spring.