The IMI has revealed the 24 students and apprentices that will go forward to compete in the National Skills Competition.
The finalists will compete over two days in November at Cardiff and Vale College in four key specifications, Automotive Technology, Automotive Body Repair, Automotive Refinishing and Heavy Vehicle Technology.
Richard Hutchins, IMI Skills Competitions manager, said: “The last two years have brought the automotive industry significant challenges, and it is incredible what these apprentices have achieved so early in their careers and under such difficult circumstances.
“The Skills Competition is designed to raise standards, esteem and the level of expertise in technical skills, and it is clearly doing just that. It has been great to see such enthusiasm and dedication from the next generation of automotive experts, and we are excited to watch the next stage of the competition.”
Among the finalists is FMG Repair Services’ Beth Creaser, who won the bodyshop magazine Apprentice Paint Technician of the Year award in 2021.
The full list is:
Refinishing: Liam Shipp, FMG Repair Services; Dominic Everington, AW Group; Adam Nevill, Charles Hurst ARC; Bethany Creaser, FMG Repair Services; Sion Lewis, RMG Body Repairs; Jordan Zatac, iRG Group.
Body Repair: David McKeown, James McKeown, ARC; Ieuan Morris-Brown, iRG Group; Saul Dale, The Vella Group; Omer Waheed, Davies Motor Company; John Carlisle, Dennison ARC; Ben Priestley, Porter Bodyshop.
Heavy Vehicle: George Hinkley, Scania; Nicholas Garrett; Stephen Hill; Aleksander Zielochowski, MAN Truck and Bus; Daniel Noddle, Northside Truck and Van; Max Winter.
Automotive Technology: Jessica Brakenbury, Lookers Ford Middlesbrough; Ewan Grigor; Robert Griffin, Cecil & Larter Volvo Bury St Edmunds; Robert Aldours; Col Izzat, Fife AutoTech; Charlie Taff-Lavill.
