The IRTE Skills Challenge returns for its 10th anniversary in 2021 to raise the profile of coach and bus engineers and technicians
The onset of the global pandemic forced a hiatus for the annual Skills Challenge, hosted by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE), which was due to mark its 10th year in 2020.
The challenge, and anniversary celebrations, are set to return in 2021, with as little disruption as possible. This year sees the introduction of the mechelec category, a technical test combining mechanical and electrical disciplines to reflect the industry’s reliance on multi-skilled technicians.
Safety is the absolute priority for 2021, and with the right measures and some cautious optimism, IRTE and the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) look forward to welcoming competitors to a secure environment at the S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol this summer.
Safety first for 2021
SOE President Mick Sweetmore is positive that the Skills Challenge will continue to promote everything positive about the coach and bus industry this year, highlighting the talents of technicians and apprentices as well as the technology used in vehicles.
“The competition helps shine a light on all the positive aspects of the coach and bus sector and raise standards in an environment where best practice can thrive,” Mick says. “Significant progress has been made in this sector over the last few years, particularly in the workshops, so it is a great pleasure to see the technicians compete and prove their worth at the Skills Challenge.”
Stressing the importance of safety, S&B Automotive Academy, which hosts the challenge, is currently working within a COVID-secure environment and will be able to do so during the competition. “Making the Skills Challenge COVID-secure is our absolute priority,” adds Mick. “We would not be running the competition at all this year if we could not make it COVID-secure.”
While IRTE remains optimistic that many of the current restrictions will be relaxed by June, Mick says the social aspect of the competition will be reduced if social distancing measures demand it. “Under normal circumstances there would be a lot of conversation and mingling between the competitors, but we are prepared to organise things differently if strict restrictions are in place,” he explains.
Testing will remain largely the same, with the numbers of competitors inside the building limited if required: “We will replicate the same competitive environment, but one that ensures the highest safety conditions for all competitors, judges, and anyone present in the building.”
Championing standards
Sponsoring a number of challenges and supporting much of the safety aspect behind the competition is the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Director of Operations (South), Richard Hennessy, says IRTE has long demonstrated the standard operators should strive for, and highlights the changing vehicle technologies it is essential for technicians, mechanics and apprentices to understand.
“The Skills Challenge gives DVSA an opportunity to play a role in championing general standards across the industry, which have been raised dramatically over the last 10-15 years. IRTE puts a spotlight on that professionalism across operators, hauliers and trade associations, which is why we’re keen to sponsor and support it.”
As well as supporting mechanical inspections of vehicles, DVSA is using the competition to keep a close eye on changing technology, particularly with how autonomy and connected vehicles will contribute to safety in the future. “As well as mechanical inspections we want to get data from vehicles to offer another layer of assurance that they are safe,” adds Richard. “The industry needs to embrace and be prepared for change – regulations will change as technology moves quickly, and there will always be new things for DVSA to do to ensure we have the right development structure.”
Celebrating staff
For some operators, never has it been more important to highlight and celebrate the work of the technicians and engineers who have continued to keep fleets running throughout the pandemic, and the Skills Challenge helps to do just that.
Metroline, one of the original groups involved in discussions on the concept of a skills challenge, highlights the positive impact on the whole workforce when apprentices win an award. “This is about promoting the vital role that engineering and vehicle technicians and developers play in keeping the world moving,” says Group Engineering Director Ian Foster. “IRTE has sometimes been a lone voice trying to promote professional engineering and qualifications, and recognition of engineers and technicians.”
Ian says the Skills Challenge was a direct response to encouraging younger people in engineering, and to pit the company’s own knowledge and skills against others from across the country.
“Coach and bus engineering is at the forefront of new fuelling systems and vehicle types. We encourage our apprentices, engineers and managers to become members of IRTE because we believe it’s the professional body that best represents our aims and aspirations.”
Now, Ian says there is often more demand to take part in the Skills Challenge than there are places to accommodate it. The competition is extensively covered in the press, offering PR opportunities, and a winners’ brochure is produced to allow any organisation to be proud of its achievements.
The awards ceremony will be held in September to ensure its feasibility in a safe and enjoyable environment. Mick hints that there will be a line-up of special guest speakers and some “fantastic new prizes”, sponsored by Teng Tools, to bring back the Skills Challenge in a big way.
The deadline for entry is April 23.
