How Sytner is nurturing and building its technician talent

Sytner’s Elite Technician Challenge is an annual event that shines a light on some of the amazing talent in the automotive industry.

Arriving at the competition, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was the launch of a blockbuster film. Beautifully presented, a £2.4m Ferrari is showcased at the end of a red carpet, revolving on a raised spinning platform and the iconic Elite branding flanks the entrance to the staged area. Introductions to the event with giant screens showing videography of the hall of fame, the gruelling aspects of the theory tests, and special mentions to those contributing.

Since 2017, the Sytner Elite Technician Competition has emerged as an incredibly important event for Sytner, designed to spotlight and reward the expertise of technicians, who are indispensable to the industry’s success. It began with with just three brands, but has grown to now spans thirteen categories, reflecting the broad spectrum of modern automotive technologies – from luxury brands such as Bentley and Ferrari to newcomers such as the electric vehicle category, highlighting the shift towards greener automotive solutions. And it’s an intense and long journey to be crowned the best.

The competition, enriched by support from sponsors such as Wurth, Pirelli, CitNOW, and Shell, kicks off with an IMI-accredited theory test, from which top scorers advance to the practical finals at Sytner headquarters in Leicester. These finals are a gruelling showcase of skill, where participants must diagnose and solve pre-set vehicle malfunctions within tight deadlines.

A poignant highlight of the 2024 competition is the Glenn Wrigley Memorial Trophy, an award recognising technicians who demonstrate the utmost dedication and passion.

The ultimate accolade for the winners is an all-expenses-paid trip to the Detroit Grand Prix, offering them an exceptional opportunity to interact with professional motorsport, and immerse themselves in the high-octane environment of automotive sports.

This year’s competition is especially notable as Tom Denton, a longstanding figure since the competition’s inception, was honoured with an Honorary Fellowship from the IMI. Presented by IMI CEO Steve Nash, this recognition underscores Tom’s significant contributions to the competition and the broader automotive education field. The IMI has backed the competition from the start, making this accolade particularly fitting.

On another level

The scale of the competition is impressive: it has seen nearly 160,000 theory questions administered across 3,173 tests, equivalent to 133 full days of assessments. The highest recorded theory score to date is an impressive 93%, showcasing the rigorous standards and competitive spirit that the event promotes.

“The competition goes from strength to strength each year, truly making it a competition like no other. I am proud to be able to reward our winners with a once in a lifetime, all expenses paid trip to the US. This year, I was delighted that our new colleagues from the recently acquired Rybook sites also had the opportunity to apply, making it inclusive for all,” said Melvin Rogers, Director of Human Resources at Sytner Group.  

Sytner and the IMI have shepherded this competition not merely as a contest of skill but as a crucial platform for professional development. Each year it challenges participants not just technically but also in their capacity to innovate and solve complex problems under pressure.

The impact on careers is tangible, with many technicians citing the competition as a pivotal moment for professional growth. Notably, 11 technicians have won on multiple occasions, demonstrating the sustained excellence and ambition fostered by the event.

Looking ahead, the competition aims to continuously adapt to the fast-evolving automotive landscape, possibly expanding to include more advanced technology categories, particularly focusing on hybrid and electric vehicles. This forward-looking approach ensures the competition pushes the limits of what automotive technicians can achieve.

Talent spotlight

As the 2024 Sytner Elite Technician Competition concluded with the announcement of the winners, congratulations were lauded on each one along with pyrotechnics and breath-taking pomp, it provided well on its promises to not only to display exceptional automotive expertise but also to inspire the next generation of technicians. With its foundation firmly supported by the IMI and its vision ever-expanding, the competition stands as a testament to the dynamic and evolving nature of the automotive industry – a beacon of excellence and a catalyst for future innovation.

“This competition really does showcase the sheer talent and the high calibre of technicians we employ across the business. Every year the scores exceed our expectations, and it really does highlight the exceptional technical knowledge we have with our aftersales teams,” said Francesca Summers Group HR Project Manager at Sytner Group.