IMI Skills Competition Heavy Vehicle Masterclass

The IMI Skills Competition Heavy Vehicle Technology finalists gathered at the Delphi Training Academy in Leamington Spa for an intensive masterclass designed to sharpen their diagnostic skills ahead of the national finals.

The Delphi Academy is a state-of-the-art training facility spanning over 9,000 sq. ft. of open workshop space, the largest aftermarket technician training centre in Europe. Home to more than 15 modern vehicles representing a range of powertrains and systems, the workshop offers seven vehicle lifts (including a four-post lift with 4-wheel alignment capabilities), advanced tyre fitting stations, cutting-edge diagnostics, and an extensive collection of specialist tools and technical data.

A Hands-On Approach to Fault Finding

This masterclass gave finalists a hands-on introduction to Delphi’s diagnostic tools, the same systems they’ll use in the upcoming national finals. By using Delphi’s brand-neutral diagnostic technology rather than manufacturer-specific tools, the competition ensures a fair and level playing field for all competitors, whether they represent independent workshops or manufacturer networks.

The training offered a bitesize version of Delphi’s Introduction to Diagnostics course, covering six steps of diagnostics, a structured process that guides technicians from identifying a fault through to verifying the repair. The Delphi technical trainers led competitors through each step, reinforcing best practices in electrical fault diagnosis and efficient problem-solving.

The day was as much about mindset as it was about method, building confidence, encouraging logical thinking, and helping competitors develop a consistent diagnostic approach that can be applied across any vehicle platform.

Trainer and Competitor Reflections

“The day has been really interesting and useful. I've never used these tools before, so it’s been a great experience, without this training, I honestly wouldn’t know how to approach some of these faults. Even though I’m at the end of my apprenticeship, this is training I haven’t had before, so it’s been really valuable.”

Lewis Somerscale, IMI Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Level 3 Apprentice at Fife College and Fife Council

Scott Shinn, Field Service Manager (Technical) at MAN Truck & Bus UK and Lead Judge for the Heavy Vehicle Technology Competition, said: 

“The masterclass gives the competitors a great opportunity to refine their diagnostic process and get comfortable with the tools before the finals. They’ll definitely need that confidence, the national competition will step up a notch in terms of difficulty, challenging them to demonstrate not just technical ability, but also their diagnostic thinking and efficiency under pressure.”

Preparing for the National Finals

The masterclass offered a good opportunity for competitors to familiarise themselves with the diagnostic software and hardware they’ll use in competition, explore the tools’ capabilities, and practise structured fault-finding techniques in a realistic workshop setting.

With the support of Delphi and the use of world-class facilities, competitors are not only preparing for the finals but also building the practical skills and confidence that will shape their careers in the heavy vehicle sector.

Find out more about the IMI Skills Competitions here.