IMI Skills Competition winners announced
The winners of the IMI Skills Competition have been announced, with 24 apprentices selected to take part in the World Skills UK event after a week of competition.
More than 400 students competed across 64 disciplines at locations around the UK.
Richard Hutchins, competitions manager at the Institute of the Motor Industry, said: “It was utterly awe-inspiring to see the determination and commitment of the IMI Skills Competition entrants in World Skills UK finals earlier this month. Despite lockdowns, reduced opportunities for hands-on learning and the general uncertainty of the pandemic, these young apprentices stepped up and demonstrated their focus, fully deserving the opportunity to compete in the World Skills UK finals. With these accolades they can now go on to forge successful careers across the automotive sector.”
The winners in the Automotive Refinishing category were: Gold – Ryan Lowrey – Blackpool and Fylde College & The Vella Group; Silver – Callum Roberts – Cardiff and Vale College & Sinclair Group; Bronze – Sion Lewis – Cardiff and Vale College & RGM body repairs.
In Automotive Body Repair the winners were: Gold – Tiler Moorcroft Jones – Grwp Llandrillo Menai & Body Perfect; Silver – Joel Windsor – Cardiff and Vale College & Smart Body Shop Solutions; Bronze – Lewis Hastings – Cardiff and Vale College & Smart Body Shop Solutions.
In the Light Vehicle Technology category the winners were: Gold – Alexander Mills – Babcock Training Ltd & Chandlers BMW Brighton; Silver – Luke Merchant – Weston College & Carbase; Bronze – Oliver Brown – Lanzante; Medal of Excellence. Ian Robertson – Fife College & James Moodie Motor Engineers.
The Heavy Vehicle Technology winners were: Gold – Mark McAdams – Fife Council; Silver – Daniel Parker – Adams Morey; Bronze – Andrew Hill – Motus Commercials & City of Bristol College.
The World Skills UK competition-based development programmes are designed by industry experts and enhance the practical skills and knowledge taught on training courses by assessing an individual’s employability attributes against set criteria in a competitive timed environment. The programme has a real impact on those taking part, with 90% of previous entrants saying their career progression improved after competing and 86% stating their personal and employability skills had improved.
