The 12th edition of the IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge is making its final preparations as testing week kicks off from 3 June at S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol.
Among the driving forces behind the 2024 edition is Alexander Dennis, returning as a premium sponsor and promising an impressive showcase of its own.
Geoff Range, a training instructor at Alexander Dennis, affirms, “This year, we are presenting our latest Enviro100EV next-generation electric bus to highlight our dedication to advancing sustainable transportation solutions.”
Alexander Dennis is spearheading the shift towards zero-emission mobility, offering a diverse array of low- and zero-emission technologies while investing in its workforce and local communities through its manufacturing and AD24 aftermarket centres nationwide.
“We are proud to introduce two exciting challenges to the IRTE Skills Challenge this year. The first involves diagnosing and rectifying an electrical fault on a bus supplied by us. The second challenge centres around identifying and addressing a body fault using our miniature bus door Ventura rig,” says Mr Range.
“At Alexander Dennis, we understand the importance of engineers receiving up-to-date training, especially with the rapid emergence of technologies such as zero-emission drivelines. The IRTE Skills Challenge provides a unique platform for engineers to demonstrate their skills and stand out in their respective disciplines.
The challenge welcomed a new sponsor this year, VARTA by Clarios, a global leader in advanced energy storage solutions, which stands as a formidable force within the industry, renowned for its unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and the advancement of standards in PSV maintenance.
“The VARTA team are delighted to be a sponsor of the IRTE Skills Challenge in 2024, an initiative that champions the very best in the industry. Personally, I’m really looking forward to judging the event, and showcasing how VARTA can support technicians in the coach and bus sector” says Vince Ward, Technical Training Manager at VARTA.
Returning premium sponsor Freeway will introduce a digital inspection module as part of this year’s challenge and online training prior to the challenge to help participants carry out an inspection fully digitally.
“We are thrilled to return to the IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge as a premium sponsor. This event is a testament to the exceptional skills and dedication of professionals in the coach and bus industry, and we are honoured to be a part of it. At Freeway, we share a passion for advancing the standards of excellence in transportation, and this sponsorship allows us to support and engage with the talented individuals who drive innovation in our field,” adds Patrick Tandy, Managing Director of Freeway.
Returning sponsor Imperial Engineering will continue to support the challenge as advocates of ‘home grown’ talent alongside supporters DVSA, Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE), Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), and Totalkare.
The IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge stands as a beacon of excellence within the transportation industry, attracting top professionals from across the nation.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Lunch event in July at the British Motor Museum, and will see another coming together of the industry to drive the future of skills in coach and bus.
