IMI announces Skills Competitions finalists

The IMI has announced the National Qualifier events for its Skills Competitions have concluded, with 24 students and apprentices chosen from the hundreds of applicants across the UK.

Judges selected finalists from four key specialisms –  Automotive Technology, Automotive Body Repair, Automotive Refinishing, and Heavy Vehicle Technology – who will now go forward to the live two day national finals in November at Cardiff and Vale College to be crowned the top new talent in the sector.

Initially nominated by their tutor or employer, top scoring apprentices took part in the National Qualifiers during May and June. The top six competitor scores from each stream reportedly impressed the judges with their level of skills, dedication and focus of the applicants this year, particularly considering the challenges they have faced since joining the sector.

Richard Hutchins, IMI Skills Competitions Manager, commented: “The last two years have brought the automotive industry significant challenges, and it is incredible what these apprentices have achieved so early in their careers and under such difficult circumstances. The Skills Competition is designed to raise standards, esteem and the level of expertise in technical skills, and it is clearly doing just that. It has been great to see such enthusiasm and dedication from the next generation of automotive experts, and we are excited to watch the next stage of the competition.”

This year sees the finals taking place week commencing 14^th November at six venues across the UK. Barking & Dagenham, Belfast Metropolitan, Blackpool & The Fylde, Cardiff & Vale, Edinburgh, and Middlesbrough colleges will host the events, with the winners crowned at a ceremony hosted by TV presenter Steph McGovern from her Packed Lunch studio on Friday 25 November. Competitors that impress at the national final could be in with a chance of representing the UK in the “skills olympics” in France in 2024. 

The 2022 Finalists