IMI Skills Competition
Light Vehicle Technology
Light Vehicle Technology tasks include Vehicle Inspection, Engine Mechanical, Braking System, High Voltage, Body Electrical, Engine Electrical as well as looking at soft skills such as problem solving and time management.
Listen to our 2024 Light Vehicle Technology Gold Medalist, Karl Wilson
Karl Wilson from SG Petch won gold in the Light Vehicle Technology category at last year's IMI Skills Competition 2024. Watch our video and hear all about his experience and what the competition meant to him.
Do you have a talented young student who you think would excel in the competition? Nominate them and help them progress in their career and excel in the automotive sector.
Meet the 2024 Light Vehicle Technology finalists
Karl Wilson, gold medalist
Meet Karl Wilson from SG Petch, and Light Vehicle Technology 2024 Gold Medalist at the IMI Skills Competition.
Matthew Ford, silver medalist
Meet Matthew Ford from Monmouth MOT Centre, and Light Vehicle Technology 2024 Silver Medalist at the IMI Skills Competition.
Adam Culverhouse, bronze medalist
Meet Adam Culverhouse from Sytner BMW Leicester and Light Vehicle Technology 2024 Bronze Medalist at the IMI Skills Competition.
Meet previous Light Vehicle Technology Gold Medalists
Meet Oliver Young from he UHI Perth and J&R Autos Services
Oliver tells us about his experience at the IMI Skills Competition:
What was it like competing in the IMI Skills Competitions finals?
I really enjoyed the whole experience. It gave me a great insight into larger dealership-type training. This was new to me as I have always learned on the job in smaller independent garages. The team of organisers and judges made us all feel so welcomed and comfortable – this helped a lot when some of the tasks were quite nerve-wracking.
How did it feel to take home gold?
I was so happy to get first place. I was surprised to be honest because the other competitors were all very good. I knew it would be a close competition after meeting everyone. I am glad my hard work paid off and it motivates me to continue and improve.
Where do you want your career to take you?
I feel I’m fairly young so I still don't really know where I want my career to take me yet. For now, I am enjoying working as a light vehicle mechanic in an independent garage and I will continue to learn and hone my skills. Maybe in the future I will choose to specialise on a specific aspect of mechanics, or potentially try focussing on classic cars.
Meet Ewan Grigor from AM Philip Truck and Tech (Skillnet)
How did you get involved in the IMI Skills Competitions?
It was just through my apprenticeship. It was daunting but I like a challenge, I like getting to try new things and pushing myself.
It was a really insightful thing. I got to learn a lot of new things and I really enjoyed it.
The qualifiers at the Henry Ford Academy was actually only my second time down there because I trained up in Scotland at the Bosch Lagta College. You do multiple different small tasks, testing your abilities. One of them was to strip and check and figure out a fault in the gearbox. Another was multiple electrical body faults. You had to work your way through them and show what methodical diagnostic procedure you’d taken.
How surprised were you to take home gold?
To be honest I thought I’d messed it up completely. I thought maybe I’ve got second, maybe third. The day that it was revealed, I was actually sitting upstairs in the house while my dad was downstairs and there was a slight delay between us and they were a few seconds ahead downstairs. It got to third and I was like, “Oh, I’ve not got third.” It got to second and I was like, “Oh, I’ve not got second.” I switched off all hope and I was like, “I’ve obviously never made the cut.” Then I heard screaming from downstairs and I was like, “What’s that for?” All of a sudden it popped up on my screen and I was speechless. I just sat there and didn’t know what to do.
How did your career progress after the IMI Skills Competitions?
I ended up doing roadside assistance for Iveco. I moved to nightshift because I just wanted a change and to take on more responsibilities. But I felt like I’d started to push my limits and decided to move to People’s Ford Group. I’m still working with Ford as a Commercial Vehicle Mechanic. I’ll be finishing my Senior Tech soon and I’m going straight for my Master Tech next.
Alexander Mills from Babcock Training Ltd and Chandlers BMW Brighton
At the time of the competition, Alex was studying with the impressive BMW academy where he was in his final year of an IMI Light Vehicle Technician Level 3. He said he has a passion for solving problems and working on cars which certainly helped him get through the final as well as help in his day-to-day job with Chandler BMW Brighton.
Alex was looking forward to talking to others and getting to know their approach. He said: "it will be exciting and useful to see other brands approaches to repairs."
Access preparation tests and activities to help with your learning
Tools and resources
Download the Refinishing digital pack with helpful support and information on the competencies required, and more details of the types of tasks you will be asked to complete at all levels:
The Learning Lab
Enhance learner preparation with pressure tests to help master their technical skills, and mindset masterclasses to build personal skills.
Look back at our 2024 Light Vehicle Technology Qualifiers:
