Nominations officially opened 1 December 2022 for Bodyshop Magazine’s two high-profile independent awards initiatives which recognise and celebrate the collision repair industry’s high-achievers and rising stars in 2023.
We once again teamed up with Vizion Network, asTech – Driven by Repairify, Thatcham Research, Remit Training and the Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors for the technician, apprentice and VDA awards which were presented during our big night out on 28 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, Remit and the IAEA helped to evolve the UK industry’s most prestigious and longest-standing independent awards to yet another exciting level,” he said.
In the year that Bodyshop Magazine celebrated its 36th birthday and the Awards turned 26, the 30 Under 30 initiative was in its seventh year, 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 this year, nominees must have been 30 years of age or under on 28 September 2023 and work within the UK collision repair industry. They come from all jobs types within the wider collision repair industry and its supply chain.
The line-up of major awards categories established in 1997 continued once again this year and included Technical Training Provider, Vehicle Manufacturer, Work Provider, and others. Bodyshop categories for 2023 included the ever-popular Bodyshop Manager of the Year; Specialist Bodyshop for non-mainstream workshops; Best MSO Bodyshop for multi-site operators; and Small, Medium and Large Bodyshop of the Year.
Also up for grabs were categories covering Technology; Supply Chain Partner; and Environmental Trailblazer.
The Powered by Vizion – Bodyshop Remit 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, advanced technologies technicians and VDAs took place online and in-person from May-July 2023 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, and VDAs, some of whom were experienced operators and some working towards their apprenticeship qualifications.
Our 2023 Awards finalists and 30 Under 30 winners were announced online at www.bodyshopmag.com and in the print editions of Bodyshop Magazine.
