Final call for IMI Skills Competition nominations

Professional body urges employers and Further Education colleges to celebrate their best automotive skills trainees

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is urging employers and Further Education (FE) colleges to nominate their students and apprentices for this year’s IMI Skills Competition. Entry is free and could earn employers and FE colleges additional free training for their nominated employees with the competition counting towards the 20% off the job training in an apprenticeship.
 
Entry numbers are so far strongest in Wales, followed closely by East of England, North West and North East. The Light Vehicle Automotive Technology category is receiving the most nominations across all regions, while the Heavy Vehicle Automotive Technology category has received the fewest. This underlines the fact that the UK’s shortage of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) trained technicians is another challenge for this sector.

Joanna Hollingdale, Careers and Student Membership Manager of the IMI commented: “It is vital that we celebrate the talent that exists within our sector – and which could eventually be showcased in the World Skills Competition later this year. As such, we are urging employers and colleges to nominate their best trainees and apprentices as soon as possible. Entry is free, and we hope trainers will look at their current cohort of students and apprentices and put forward their top talent for national and international recognition.”

Employers and FE colleges simply need to complete the nomination form on the IMI website with the consent of their nominees. 

There are four streams in which nominees can be entered

• Light Vehicle Automotive Technology
• Heavy Vehicle Automotive Technology
• Automotive Body Repair
• Automotive Refinishing

The deadline for nominations is 24th March and the initial online quiz must be completed by 31st March 2023.

Once the nomination has been completed the nominee will be asked to complete a 30-minute multiple choice quiz. Top scorers will be invited to sit an online knowledge test to gain a place in the National Qualifiers.  This stage of the competition can be completed anywhere – there’s no need for any live attendance or travel. The one day practical National Qualifiers are held between 17th May and 23rd June 2023.
 
The top six competitors in each skill area will then be invited to take part in training days in preparation for the practical Live finals in November – with travel bursaries available upon application though WorldSkills UK. Following the final some of the finalists, if they are age eligible, may have the opportunity to progress on to Team UK for the biannual WorldSkills International competition.

Joanna Hollingdale added: “The IMI Skills Competition is a great opportunity to inspire students and apprentices to excel in Light Vehicle Automotive Technology, Heavy Vehicle Automotive Technology, Automotive Body Repair and Automotive Refinishing. However, they can’t be celebrated without being nominated; it’s vital therefore that their employers and FE Colleges nominate them as soon as possible.”

Employers and FE colleges can find more information, including a pre-recorded webinar about the IMI Skills Competitions entry and shortlisting process at https://tide.theimi.org.uk/industry-latest/imi-skills-competitions