The search for the UK’s best young automotive technicians has entered its final phase with the announcement of the finalists in the Institute of the Motor Industry’s SkillAuto competition, who will compete for gold at the UK Skills Show in November.
Six Autopaint and Autotech and seven Autobody competitors will advance to the final at the Birmingham NEC.
Around 100,000 people are expected to visit the Skills Show, which provides a platform for the best of the nation’s young talent to compete in their chosen fields, as well as giving visitors the chance to “have a go” at new skills and gain careers advice.
Competition tasks included preparing and painting panels, scratch repair and colour matching for Autopaint competitors; whilst Autobody competitors faced such challenges as welding, metal finish repairs and plastic fill repairs. Autotech tasks included a timing belt change on a Land Rover TD4 engine, transmission reassembly, a detailed inspection of a Jaguar XJ and various fault diagnosis activities.
The objective of all tasks is to test candidate’s ability to work on real world challenges under time pressures associated with a busy workshop.
Steve Nash, the IMI’s Chief Executive, said, “Congratulations to all of the SkillAuto competitors that have made it through to the upcoming finals.
“SkillAuto is a vital tool for placing the spotlight on the importance of skills in the motor industry. Many people are still unaware of the technical complexity of modern vehicles and the high level of skills required to maintain and repair them.
“The young people that have reached the final represent the high calibre of apprentices the motor industry needs and they are role models for future generations of automotive professionals.”
Skillauto Finalists from Wales in Autobody section include Matthew Bailey RGM Swansea, Jordan Thomas TWK Thomas & Sons Swansea and Lewis Lloyd BP Rolls Group Wales.
In the Autopaint category there are Keiren Jones Nationwide Crash Repair Centre of Ely, Cardiff and Leon Ivin of Magor Motors Newport.
