The 12th edition of the IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge is poised to make waves in the industry once again with 11 bus and coach operators from across the nation signed up. Over 60 apprentice and qualified technicians will take part in a series of challenges at the much-anticipated Skills Challenge from 3 – 6 June at S&B Academy in Bristol.
The 2024 cohort comes from regional powerhouses to industry giants. Take a look at this year’s participants:
- Lothian
- Greys of Ely
- Transdev
- Arriva
- National Express
- Trentbarton
- RATP Dev
- Stagecoach West
- Metroline
- First Bus
- Go Ahead
The role of managers
The Skills Challenge was internally promoted by training or engineering managers which is testament to leadership taking proactive steps to open new avenues for technicians and apprentices to apply their skills to new scenarios.
Skills Challenge isn’t just for the technicians and apprentices; it’s an opportunity to showcase the managers’ leadership prowess. In addition to the awards for apprentices and technicians, last year, Go-Ahead’s Group Engineering Director Richard Harrington, was awarded the prestigious Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement.
The award is a recognition for individuals for their promotion of standards, safety, apprenticeships and ongoing training in the bus and coach industry.
‘Personal development’ a key motivator to entering
With each passing year, teams are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in engineering, showcasing creativity, ingenuity, and problem-solving skills. These new ideas promise to inject a fresh sense of excitement and energy into the challenge, inspiring participants to explore new approaches and techniques.
Competitors were asked what motivated them to take part in the challenge this year. While responses ranged from ‘to challenge myself’, ‘to test myself against other technicians’, and ‘to show what I’ve learned from the industry’, all of them were centred around personal development. The challenges will lend itself as benchmarks against the developing technologies, while competition alongside talented apprentices and qualified technicians from other operators will give participants an inside look into company cultures, attitudes and training standards.
Some see it as a chance to push themselves, build confidence, and learn from the experience and other participants. Overall, the Skills Challenge is a platform of knowledge sharing, learning and professional development.
“Taking part will give me a valuable insight into how others work beyond our company’s workshops. I’ve spent time with our electricians, bodywork fitters and mechanics to learn every aspect of our maintenance and repair regime, so it’s a good time to find out how others in the world outside do a similar job’”
Sponsors are pivotal to pushing boundaries each year
This year both new and returning sponsors alike are eager to support and engage with the engineering community. Among the esteemed sponsors lending their support to the IRTE Skills Challenge 2024 are industry leaders such as Alexander Dennis, Freeway, Imperial Engineering, and VARTA, each bringing their unique expertise and resources to the table. Their involvement not only elevates the profile of the event but also underscores the collaborative spirit driving advancements in the engineering sector.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Lunch on 11 July at the British Motor Museum. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses keen to meet decision makers and engineering managers from major coach and bus operators. Enquire now at irteskills@soe.org.uk
