IMI Skills Competition 2025 Final
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The IMI Skills Competition Final 2025 is officially underway!
From 24th to 28th November, Cardiff and Vale College is playing host to some of the most talented up-and-coming automotive professionals in the UK, all competing as part of the WorldSkills UK National Final.
The set-up is complete and the workshops are filled with determination, excitement, and plenty of skill. This blog will grow day by day as the competition progresses, but here’s everything we’ve seen so far.
Day 1: Let the Competition Begin!
The competition kicked off with our Automotive Body Repair finalists arriving bright and early for their familiarisation session. Competitors Belal Al Haka, Chloe Chan, Harley Chambers, Joseph Cullen, Ryan Davies, and Tiernan O'Reilly were welcomed into the workshop by lead judge Peter Gibbons, Course Director at Cardiff and Vale College, who set the tone for the day with a warm introduction and a rundown of what to expect.
Familiarisation is all about giving competitors the chance to settle in. The finalists rotated around each station, tested equipment, asked questions, and made sure they knew what they’d be facing once the competition started.
By the afternoon, it was time to begin and the Body Repair competition officially started. Each competitor brought their A-game with a strong start, and it was a fantastic way to open this year’s final.
"Day 1 is really about giving the competitors a chance to settle in, familiarise themselves with the workshop, and get a feel for the equipment. It’s always great to see how quickly they adapt and ask questions. We’re really proud to be hosting the competition here at Cardiff and Vale College, and the standard this year is already very impressive."Peter Gibbons, Course Director
Car-O-Liner are also on site, bringing a range of their advanced equipment for the body repair competitors to use throughout the week. Their kit is helping ensure each station is fully equipped, giving the finalists the tools they need to showcase their skills and work to the highest standard.
"We are proud once again to support this incredible competition. Our involvement goes beyond supplying equipment and training; our team is also honoured to contribute to the judging panel. Over the years, it has been a pleasure to watch these competitors grow throughout their training and secure strong futures within the industry. We wish all competitors the very best of luck in this year’s competition, and in their future endeavours.”
Stuart Alexander, Managing Director at Car-O-Liner
Day 2: New Arrivals
Day 2 saw the Body Repair competitors return for the second stage of their competition, continuing to demonstrate impressive talent and focus.
Midday brought a new burst of energy as our Light Vehicle and Heavy Vehicle competitors arrived, collected their WorldSkills UK goody bags and T-shirts, and joined the workshop for an afternoon of familiarisation. Just like the body repair competitors, they spent time rotating between stations, testing out equipment, and getting comfortable with the space before their competitions begin tomorrow.
| Heavy Vehicle Technology Finalists | Light Vehicle Technology Finalists |
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“The set-up here is really impressive, so much work has gone into it, seeing the whole competition come together like this is amazing. I’m also really impressed with the judges, it’s clear it’s not about trying to catch anyone out, but about the process and helping everyone perform at their best. I’m excited to see the Light Vehicle competition get underway tomorrow and can’t wait to see how my competitor, Daniel, gets on.”
Phil Johns, Workshop Manager at Northgate Vehicle Hire
We also have our headline sponsors, Milwaukee Tools, on site all week who are demoing equipment, answering questions, and supplying tools for the event. Their stand has been a hotspot, with competitors, judges and visitors eager to get their hands on the kit that will be used throughout the week.
We're looking forward to getting the Light Vehicle and Heavy Vehicle competitions started tomorrow, check back here for updates!
Day 3: Halfway Through and Full Steam Ahead
It's lunchtime on Day 3, and the competition is moving at full pace. Our Body Repair competitors have now completed their final tasks and wrapped up their competition. It’s been an intense few days for them, and the standard they’ve set has been incredibly high from start to finish.
| Automotive Body Repair Finalists | Automotive Body Repair Judges |
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With Body Repair now complete, the workshop is already being transformed for the next category. This afternoon, our Automotive Refinishing competitors will be arriving for their familiarisation session, getting a first look at the stations, equipment, and layout. They’ll be starting their competition tomorrow, and the atmosphere is already building as the space shifts to welcome them.
"We’re looking forward to welcoming the Automotive Refinishing competitors later today. Familiarisation is such an important part of the process, it gives them a chance to get comfortable with the workshop and equipment, so they can focus on their technique when the competition begins tomorrow. I’m excited to see the skill and creativity they bring to the week.”
Daryl Head, Lead Judge for Automotive Refinishing, Senior Spray Painter at FMG RS
Meanwhile, over in the Light Vehicle and Heavy Vehicle areas, today’s tasks are underway and off to a strong start. Competitors are making great progress as they move through their stations. It’s shaping up to be an exciting day for both categories, with plenty of impressive work already on display.
Over in the Light Vehicle area, competitors Cade Turnbull, Austin Watson Jones, Marc Cockerton, Daniel Morris, Charlie White, and Cameron Hill, made a confident start to the morning’s tasks, settling in quickly and showing great focus.
The Heavy Vehicle competitors, Oliver Thomas, Kieran Mitchell, Lewis Somerscale, Austin Peacock, Tristan Hunter, and Will Foulger, are also off to a strong start, tackling their first stations.
Day 4: Automotive Refinishing Competition Start
Day 4 has seen the start of the Automotive Refinishing competition, with competitors stepping into the workshop ready to showcase their skills.
After familiarisation yesterday, the refinishing finalists, Aaron Saxton, Dafydd Jones, Jack Harvison, Keeley Tait, Logan Sweet, and Lucy Bennett, have been able to hit the ground running.
| Automotive Refinishing Competitors | Automotive Refinishing Judges |
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The competition is being supported by Glasurit, who are supplying all the paint for the week. Competitors are using advanced, sustainable basecoats, one of the greenest and most environmentally friendly options on the market. These paints reduce solvent emissions and help minimise environmental impact while still providing the high-quality finish required for professional automotive refinishing. The focus is on precision, technique, and understanding the materials, reflecting the latest industry standards in sustainable practices.
Day 4 also marks the completion of both the Light Vehicle and Heavy Vehicle competitions. After several days of intense focus, problem-solving and hands-on technical tasks, the finalists brought their challenges to a close.
Across both categories, competitors demonstrated exceptional diagnostic ability, precision in their practical work and a calm, methodical approach under pressure. Judges praised the high standard of workmanship on display, noting how well the finalists adapted to each stage of the competition and how effectively they showcased the breadth of their training.
With all tasks now complete, Light Vehicle and Heavy Vehicle competitors can take a well-earned breather as the scoring process is finalised.
Day 5: Wrapping Up the Competition
It’s the final day of the IMI Skills Competition Final 2025, and the workshop has been buzzing with activity right up until the end. The Automotive Refinishing competition has now concluded, with competitors delivering precision, skill, and creativity throughout their tasks. The standard has been incredibly high, leaving judges impressed with the attention to detail and technique on display.
Meanwhile, our Light Vehicle competitors returned this morning for a series of four masterclass sessions. Split into small groups, the finalists had the chance to dive deeper into specialist topics, including Picoscope Diagnostics and Engine Measuring, gaining practical insights and guidance from industry experts Jonny, Rob, and Geoff. These sessions were a perfect way to finish the competition week, offering an extra opportunity to learn, refine skills, and explore new techniques beyond the timed challenges.
As the day winds down, anticipation is building for tonight’s medal ceremony, taking place at 7pm at the ICC in Newport, with the winner announcement at 9pm. It’s set to be a celebration of talent and a fitting finale to a fantastic week.