Picture: Johan Drenth, After Sales Director of DAF Trucks N.V. (left) presented the trophy to a very happy Marin Pavicic.
During the European final, the eighteen finalists demonstrated their skills in several theoretical and practical cases in which they had to solve complex malfunctions on engine and vehicle systems.
"DAF organizes the ‘European Technician of the Year’ competition’ to underline the importance of professional workshop technicians," says Johan Drenth. "It is primarily a recognition of their profession. Modern trucks are high-tech vehicles and a broad and deep technical knowledge is required to be able to work on them. In addition, the technician is the business card in the workshop of the DAF dealer and he or she plays an important role when it comes to customer satisfaction. It's all about delivering service and quality down to the smallest detail."
DAF dealers throughout Europe may enter their technicians for the 'DAF European Technician of the Year’ competition. The competition consists of two parts. In the first year, entrants compete for the national title in each country. The following year, the winners from each country compete against each other during the European final.
"Every day is a challenge"
Marin Pavicic has been working for the Walter Aichwalder dealership in Klagenfurt for 15 years. He started as an apprentice and worked his way up to his present position of workshop manager. Marin was completely surprised by his victory. “It’s an indescribable feeling”, he says. “The assignments and tests were very complicated, so I was quite a bit tense. I am very proud that I won the award!” What in his view characterizes a good technician? “You have to challenge yourself every day”, he says. “That way, you continue to learn, which makes you a better professional.”
