UK’s best young automotive talent recognised at SkillAuto finals

Over 100,000 young people attended the show, which provides a platform for the best of the nation’s young talent to compete in their chosen fields, as well as giving visitors the chance to have a go at new skills and gain careers advice.

Eighteen competitors took part in the SkillAuto final, having already fought off over 1,200 entrants to reach this stage. Organised and managed by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), SkillAuto is a national competition which seeks to find the best young automotive technicians in a knockout competition. The competitor’s skills were put to the test over two days, where their expertise in their chosen fields was judged by industry experts in front of a live audience. At the end of the competition Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were announced.

Matthew Quinn, an apprentice at the Charles Hurst Accident Repair Centre in County Antrim, secured a Gold medal in the Autobody repair competition, while Gary Greer an apprentice at John Lennon Accident Repair in Country Tyrone won Gold in the Autopaint contest. The Autotech competition, which tests participant’s diagnostic and vehicle servicing skills, was won by Mark Yates, an apprentice at Holdcroft Honda in Stoke on Trent. The Gold medal winners have also been invited to visit the McLaren Technology Centre in Surrey.

David Massie, the IMI’s Skills Competition Manager, said: “SkillAuto showcases the very best young talent within our industry and the standard at this year’s exciting final was extremely high. All of the finalists demonstrated the highest levels of technical expertise under intense pressure and in my mind they all deserve to be winners. This UK-wide competition is an important showcase for the high levels of skill required in the motor industry and I have no doubt that it has inspired a whole new generation to consider a career in our exciting sector.”

SkillAuto is sponsored and made possible by IMI Awards, Würth, Morelli, NOVA VERTA, SATA and Car-O-Liner, as well as BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, KIA and the McLaren Group. To find out more about SkillAuto and career opportunities in the motor industry please visit www.autocity.org.uk.

2012 SkillAuto finalists & winners:

AutoBody

• Gold: Matthew Quinn, Charles Hurst Accident Repair Centre, County Antrim
• Silver: Matthew Bailey, RGM Vehicle Body Repair, Swansea
• Bronze: Gerard Brennan, Northern Ireland
• Jordan Thomas, TWK Thomas and Sons, Swansea
• Lewis Reader, S&F Motors, Rhondda
• Matthew Jones, Midway Motors, Pembrokeshire

Autopaint

• Gold: Gary Greer, John Lennons Accident Repair, Country Tyrone
• Silver: Marc Reilly, Nigel Whann ARC, County Antrim
• Bronze: Patrick Quinn, Fearghas Quinn Specialists Vehicles, Co. Antrim
• Highly Commended: Philip Southwood, Arnold Clark Accident Repair, Altrincham
• Chris Louca, Cole Coachworks, Hertfordshire
• Daniel Coles, Nationwide Crash Repair Centre, Bridgend

Autotech

• Gold: Mark Yates, Holdcroft Honda, Stoke on Trent
• Silver: Matthew McKeown, Pat Kirk Ltd, Co. Omagh
• Bronze: Turlough Lennon, Cotswolds Subaru, Oxfordshire
• Daniel Medlar, Clive Atthowe Tuning, Norwich
• Gary Brown, Arnold Clark Honda, Fife
• Rhys Morris, Nationwide Accident Repairs, Cardiff