IMI Skills Competition finalists stand out in World Skills UK Competition

Automotive talent takes top prizes at November finals

Despite 2021 being a challenging year for learning, a strong cohort of automotive apprentices demonstrated commitment and resilience to take part in the IMI Skills Competitions, with the aim of reaching the finals of the World Skills UK Competition which took place earlier this month.

24 hard-working automotive apprentices were selected from the IMI Skills Competitions to take part in the World Skills UK competition. Following a week of tough competition the winners have now been crowned.

Over 400 students and apprentices across 64 disciplines battled it out in the World Skills UK Competition finals held across the UK. From the Industrial Robotics final in Ballymena, to Heavy Vehicle Engineering in Cardiff, Cyber Security in Lanarkshire and Web Design in Somerset, 25 venues covered all four corners of the UK. 

The winners in IMI Skills Competition, announced by TV journalist, Steph McGovern, in a live podcast on Friday 26th November were: 

Automotive Refinishing

Gold - Ryan Lowrey - Blackpool and Fylde College & The Vella Group 
Silver - Callum Roberts - Cardiff and Vale College & Sinclair Group
Bronze - Sion Lewis - Cardiff and Vale College & RGM body repairs ltd.

Automotive Body Repair

Gold - Tiler Moorcroft Jones - Grwp Llandrillo Menai & Body Perfect 
Silver - Joel Windsor - Cardiff and Vale College & Smart Body Shop Solutions 
Bronze - Lewis Hastings - Cardiff and Vale College & Smart Body Shop Solutions

Light Vehicle Technology

Gold - Alexander Mills - Babcock Training Ltd & Chandlers BMW Brighton
Silver - Luke Merchant - Weston College & Carbase 
Bronze - Oliver Brown - Lanzante
Medal of Excellence. Ian Robertson - Fife College & James Moodie Motor Engineers

Heavy Vehicle Technology

Gold - Mark McAdams - Fife Council 
Silver - Daniel Parker - Adams Morey Ltd
Bronze - Andrew Hill - Motus Commercials & City of Bristol College 

“It was utterly awe-inspiring to see the determination and commitment of the IMI Skills Competition entrants in World Skills UK finals earlier this month”, said Richard Hutchins, Competitions Manager at the Institute of the Motor Industry. “Despite lockdowns, reduced opportunities for hands-on learning and the general uncertainty of the pandemic, these young apprentices stepped up and demonstrated their focus, fully deserving the opportunity to compete in the World Skills UK finals.

“With these accolades they can now go on to forge successful careers across the automotive sector.”
 
The World Skills UK competition-based development programmes are designed by industry experts and enhance the practical skills and knowledge taught on training courses by assessing an individual’s employability attributes against set criteria in a competitive timed environment. The programme has a real impact on those taking part, with 90% of previous entrants saying their career progression improved after competing and 86% stating their personal and employability skills had improved.