Nominations officially opened today (1 December 2022) for Bodyshop magazine’s two high-profile independent awards initiatives which will recognise and celebrate the collision repair industry’s high-achievers and rising stars in 2023.
We have once again teamed up with Vizion Network, asTech – Driven by Repairify and Thatcham Research for the technician and apprentice awards to be presented during our big night out next September, and we are delighted to announce the renewal of our partnership with 3M to jointly develop and deliver Bodyshop magazine’s all-important 30 Under 30: Rising Stars programme.
Bodyshop editor Simon Wait said of 3M’s involvement: “Our 30 Under 30 initiative is hugely important and paints a very bright and optimistic picture of the talent this industry has within its ranks. 3M’s dedication to developing and nurturing new and existing young talent blends perfectly with our own vision.
“And at a time of great challenges in our industry, teaming up once more with thought-leading businesses such as Vizion, Repairify, Thatcham Research and Remit Training will evolve the UK industry’s most prestigious and longest-standing independent awards to yet another exciting level,” he said.
In this year that Bodyshop magazine celebrates its 35th birthday and the Awards have just turned 25, the 30 Under 30 initiative will be in its seventh year next September, having been founded in 2017 to mark the 30th anniversary of Bodyshop magazine. 30 Under 30 is an annual campaign to find 30 inspirational individuals who have achieved something special in their sector and are earmarked for future success. To qualify, nominees must be 30 years of age or under on 28 September 2023 and work within the UK collision repair industry, and they can come from all jobs types within collision repair.
Those who fit the criteria can nominate themselves or be recommended by their peers, bosses and colleagues via our online 30 Under 30 nominations form. The final line-up of 30 winners, as chosen by an independent panel of industry experts, will be recognised and celebrated during the bodyshop Awards 2023 in September.
Entries for both the 30 Under 30: Rising Stars and Bodyshop Awards 2023 opened on 1 December and nominations will remain open for four months until 31 March 2023. Visit www.bodyshopmag.com to submit your nominations for the:
The line-up of major awards categories established in 1997 will continue once again next year and includes Technical Training Provider of the Year, Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year, Work Provider, and VDA of the Year, the latter brought to you by the Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors (IAEA).
Bodyshop categories for 2023 will include the ever-popular Bodyshop Manager of the Year; best Specialist Bodyshop for non-mainstream workshops; Best MSO Bodyshop for multi-site operators with three or more workshops in a group or franchise chain; Small, Medium and Large Bodyshop of the Year; and the best overall UK Bodyshop of the Year in 2023.
Also up for grabs are categories covering Work Provider of the Year; New Technology/Innovation; Supply Chain Partner; and Environmental Trailblazer, some of which will be decided by a free and independent vote by all repairers active in the UK market today.
The Powered by Vizion – Bodyshop Technician and Apprentice Awards for skilled panel and paint techs are all about promoting and recognising body repair and refinish excellence and inspiring the next generation of paint sprayers and panel experts to pursue a career in the industry.
The Powered by asTech – Bodyshop Thatcham Advanced Technologies Technician of the Year category, which was introduced in 2022, is open to the very best MET and multi-skilled technicians who must hold a current qualification or accreditation at Level 3 or above in both EV and ADAS.
The independent assessment processes for panel, paint and advanced technologies technicians will take place online and in-person over the next six months to ensure these Bodyshop magazine categories remain unique within the crash repair industry. They are specifically designed for bodyshop employees working on the front line of repairs as multi-skilled, MET, panel and paint technicians, some of whom will be experienced operators and some will be working towards their apprenticeship qualifications.
With the race to find our 2023 awards finalists now under way, see future issues of Bodyshop magazine and go online at www.bodyshopmag.com to submit your nominations – and come back regularly to keep up to date, meet our independent expert jury, and be part of the Bodyshop Awards 2023 buzz as it builds throughout the year.
