Teams from across the UK are arriving at S&B Academy this week to stake their claim as the best in the bus and coach business. Companies that have been long-time entrants in the competition will be competing against some fresh faces. All are determined to show off their talent and demonstrate their dedication to training.
Each year, the industry’s premier showcase of technical talent sees the sector’s engineering stars compete in a series of electrical, mechanical and bodywork challenges to find the best in bus and coach.
Event partner S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol, one of the country’s leading providers of automotive training and assessment services, is once again hosting the event. Long time sponsors Knorr-Bremse, FCL, Imperial Engineering and Teng Tools are joined this year by Freeway Fleet Systems. DVSA is also lending its expertise once again. All are keen to demonstrate their commitment to standards and safety.
One of the competition’s stand-out winners from last year was Craig Perkins, Engineering Apprenticeship Manager at National Express, who scooped the IRTE Skills Challenge Master Technician Award. He said: “The competition shows the level required to be at the top of your trade. Apprentices can see areas that they may need to develop, and for experienced engineers, it can also get your brain working on things you may not have seen for some time.
DVSA. Chief Executive Loveday Ryder says: “DVSA is a long term supporter of the Skills Challenge. I really do think it gives us a chance to help and support industry showcasing what it can do. What people are learning by testing themselves and learning from each other is just so important.”
Testing Week itself takes place at S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol on 5-9 June 2023. The Awards Lunch for all entrants will be held at Jaguar Experience Castle Bromwich on 7 September 2023
Interested in entering or sponsoring next year? Email IRTESkills@soe.org.uk
