A SOLIHULL teenager who started tinkering under the bonnet of cars with her dad seven years ago is now a chief mechanic.
Tianna Rawlings has been put in charge of maintaining a fleet of three cars – a Vauxhall VX490, Morris Minor and Austin 7 – at Young Driver.
Her work is overseen by her dad Wayne Ward, who currently looks after the standard Young Driver fleet of new Vauxhall Corsas.
The duo have been working on projects together since Tianna was 11 when her love for the inner workings of vehicles was sparked.
Tianna, who lives at Kingshurst, is studying to be a mechanic, having completed two years of a three year course at Solihull College.
The 18-year-old said: “When I met with the team at Young Driver, we got talking about the classics, which are amazing vehicles.
“I was over the moon to be asked to look after the maintenance of the cars, with support from my dad.
“I have an interest in classic cars so it’s a great opportunity for me to put some of the things I’m learning at college into practice.
“Obviously the classics are very different vehicles to modern cars on the road now, so you learn lots of new skills.”
Tianna’s own learning to drive journey was put on hold due to Covid, but she has been carrying on lessons with Young Driver, which teaches 10-17 year olds, and hopes to be back learning on the road shortly.
Sue Waterfield, head of marketing for Young Driver, said: “It’s great for young people to be able to experience what cars used to be like and the way they drive – which gives you a better understanding of the mechanics, compared to the very slick and computer-based cars we all drive today.
“So, it’s great to now have Tianna, as someone of that generation, maintaining the fleet, whilst also helping her with practical experience for her college qualifications.
“On the first day she was taking the starter motor off the Austin 7 to put a recon unit on.”
