Steer Automotive Group will fully embrace National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) next week when it holds the first of three internal apprentice skills competitions it has planned for 2025.
Following on from the success of the inaugural Steer Apprentice Skills Competition in 2024, the heats for the Steer Automotive Body Repair Competition will take place 11-13 February when it will be hosted once again by Emtec at Nottingham College.
Steer gears up for NAW
Steve Hoe, head of academy and organisation development for the group, told Bodyshop Magazine as Steer gears up for NAW: “Last year’s competition highlighted some exceptional talent, many of whom achieved great things in 2024, including a remarkable 93% first-time pass rate among qualifiers.
“This year, we are thrilled to welcome 35 of our apprentices to a packed programme filled with action and opportunities. I firmly believe that participating in skills competitions offers incredible benefits for young people. These events are designed to develop their abilities, and working under timed pressure significantly enhances their confidence, time management, and planning skills.
“To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week [which runs 10-16 February at venues across the country], we’ve invited local Notts schools to visit the competition over two of the days. It’s a fantastic opportunity to introduce young people to the industry and showcase some impressive skills. There will also be interactive activities, such as a virtual welding set and paint VR, along with a tour of the college to enhance the experience,” Hoe added.
Automotive Refinishing Competition
The second set of heats this month, for the Steer Automotive Refinishing Competition, will be hosted by Axalta at its Refinishing Academy in Welwyn Garden City from 18-21 February.
“We’ve added two extra days to the schedule over the two competitions, making it an even more comprehensive event. Both the body repair and refinishing competition heats will culminate in the top six apprentices in each category progressing to the finals in March,” Hoe continued
Those Automotive Body Repair and Automotive Refinishing finals will take place at the same host venues on 5-6 March and 12-13 March, respectively.
Hoe concluded: “Something else we haven’t announced yet as we’re still working out the details, is a third competition for our MET apprentices. It will likely take place in April, but I’ll have more to tell you about that very soon.”
