The Institute of the Automotive Industry (IMI) has celebrated the talents of some of the UK’s best young technicians after revealing the winners of its 2022 Skills Competition.
Lookers’ Charles Hurst, AM Philip Truck Tech, IRG Pontypridd and Scania technicians scooped gold awards in the annual challenge after demonstrating their skills to become top performers from a field of entrants that included over 500 students and disciples.
A total of 23 winners were selected for awards in four categories: Light Vehicle Technology, Body Repair, Refinishing and Heavy Duty.
All eligible finalists now proceed to the World Skills International competition to be held in Lyon in September 2024.
IMI Competitions Manager Richard Hutchins said: “2022 has been another challenging year for the sector, but we have seen a cohort of highly skilled automotive apprentices of all ages step up.
“Applicants and finalists come from a wide variety of backgrounds and groups that are generally underrepresented in the automotive field.
“As the IMI Diversity Working Group works to increase diversity and address the widening skills gap, we hope that the diversity of gender, ability and ethnicity represented in this program will inspire others from underrepresented groups and those with disabilities to apply for automotive apprenticeships, courses and jobs. After all, a more diverse sector is a stronger sector.”
The Skills Competition is said to provide tangible career benefits for its participants.
According to IMI, 90% of previous participants said their career progress improved after the competition, with 86% saying their personal and employability skills improved.
Here are the winners of the 2022 IMI Skills Competition:
Each of the competitors in the IMI Skills Challenge 2022 completed an online test, participated in a one-day practical national qualification and underwent training days and employer visits after being nominated for the challenge by their employer.
The finalists then gathered in Cardiff and Vale College for a two-day live World Skills UK practical final, completing six tasks in front of a panel of volunteer judges.
Hutchins said: “Once again, we were impressed by the determination, commitment and technical skills of all the applicants for this year’s Skills Competition. The judges had a tough job choosing the winners.”