Arriva and Go-Ahead were the most successful operators when the 2023 IRTE Skills Challenge winners were announced at the awards ceremony at Jaguar Experience Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, last Thursday.
At the 12th edition of the annual competition, organised by the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) and partners S&B Automotive and taking place at the S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol from 5-9 June, Go-Ahead won in five categories and Arriva in four.
The event saw 60 qualified and apprentice PSV engineers given a series of electrical, mechanical and bodywork challenges. Representatives from S&B Academy, Knorr-Bremse and DVSA were assessors at the competition and ensured the tests were relevant and up to date. It was sponsored by FCL, Imperial Engineering, Knorr-Bremse, Teng Tools and Freeway.
SOE Membership & Registration Manager Oliver Teasell says: “The IRTE Skills Challenge provides us with an excellent opportunity to showcase the skills and talents of our engineers, technicians and apprentices from all around the UK. Not only does the skills challenge provide technical support and career support it also gives us an insight into the industry’s best talents.”
The prizes – from Teng Tools – included socket and spanner sets, rivet guns, screwdrivers, cutting tools and, for the top prize, a tool box filed with tools.
In addition, Richard Harrington, Richard Harrington, Group Engineering Director at Go-Ahead, was announced recipient of the Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement. Recognising contribution to the promotion of standards, safety, apprenticeships and ongoing training in coach and bus, the award was first made in 2015 in memory of Philip Margrave, a former Engineering Director for Go-Ahead London who was an active and committed member of IRTE for 24 years.
His son, Lewis Margrave, Engineering Manager at the Go-ahead Group, presented the award and says: “My father was an active member of the IRTE for 24 years. He was committed to raising standards within the UK bus industry and was instrumental in setting up the annual IRTE skills challenge competition. This award is presented each year to somebody who champions his legacy by supporting apprentices and promoting standards and training.”
2023 IRTE Skills Challenge – Winners
Individual
Bodywork Apprentice: James Lockyer (Arriva)
DVSA Inspection Apprentice: Hollie Smith (Arriva)
Electrical Apprentice: William Keith (Go Ahead)
Electric Driveline Apprentice: Diego Duran Cuadros (Go Ahead)
Mechanical Apprentice: Scott Blakesley (Go Ahead)
Mechelec: James Day (First Bus)
Bodywork Technician: Glen Kelly (Metroline)
DVSA Inspection Technician: Harry Burns (Trentbarton)
Electrical Technician: Barrie Lear (Arriva)
Electric Driveline Technician: Joe Davis (Metroline)
Mechanical Technician: Pawel Dudziec (National Express)
Master Technician: Chris Bissett (Go Ahead)
Judge’s Choice – Outstanding First Year Apprentice: Thang Tang (First Bus)
Team
Apprentice Team: Go Ahead (Diego Duran Cuadros, Cameron Barton, Fabio Janota, Tiago Da-Silva
Qualified Team: Arriva (Barrie Lear, Anthony Denman, Wayne Stanton)
Runners-up
Bodywork Apprentice: Hasan Girach (First Bus)
DVSA Inspection: Charles Burrows (Metroline)
Electrical Apprentice: Sophy Smith (First Bus)
Electric Driveline Apprentice: Tom Lees (National Express)
Mechanical Apprentice: Hollie Smith (Arriva)
Mechelec: Aleksander Derkach (Go Ahead)
Bodywork Technician: John Buchan (Lothian)
DVSA Inspection Technician: Morgan Bond (First Bus)
Electrical Technician: Ben Stacey (Go Ahead)
Electric Driveline Technician: Luke Gorton (National Express)
Mechanical Technician: Arren Pidden (First Bus)
Master Technician: Andy Knowles (First Bus)
Read spotlights on all the winners in the IRTE Skills Challenge 2023 brochure
