By 2030, there will be 173,000 more new jobs in engineering and technology, according to Lightcast’s labour force trends featured in EngineeringUK. Engineering is set to boom in the coming years, but do we have the engineers and technicians to meet this demand?
IRTE’s annual Bus and Coach Skills Challenge is on a mission to empower apprentices and technicians in the road transport sector, shape skills for tomorrow and raise industry standards.
The Skills Challenge is a test of adaptability – taking competitors out of their comfort zone – where they get to apply what they have learnt in their native workshops in a new environment. The Challenge, which takes place from 3-7 June at S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol, is an annual gathering of coach and bus operators from across the country that bring their teams along for a day of testing, networking and knowledge sharing.
Richard Belton, Operations Director at S&B Automotive Academy, says: “The IRTE Skills Challenge is key to raising the profile of a highly skilled sector that is constantly adapting to changing and advancing technology in the industry.
“It tests and showcases the current skill levels within the coach and bus repair sector — not just of those experienced technicians within the industry but also apprentices at the start of their careers.
“It demonstrates that a career in the coach and bus repair industry has massive development potential for all those entering and that recent technology developments with hybrid and electric vehicles has completely changed the industry dynamics.”
The Challenge tests competitors on the mechanical, electrical and bodywork aspects of engineering through a series of theoretical and practical evaluations. But it’s also a test of problem-solving and communication — the essential common skills in today’s engineering job descriptions according to EngineeringUK’s Engineering skills needs – now and into the future report.
Competitors are putting their own skills to the test, and there is real skill transfer in action. It’s a national effort to combat the skills shortage and prepare the market for the future workforce needs.
Award-winning initiatives like the IRTE Skills Challenge are paramount to keep the industry moving and address skills shortages. If you are an apprentice or qualified technician looking to put yourself out there, now is the time. Enter the Skills Challenge today.
Visit irteskills.org.uk
