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	News 27 October 09 : Skillauto’s search for the best automotive technician begins Outstanding automotive technicians who wish to showcase their skills can now put themselves to the test by entering the Skillauto 2010 competition. The aim of Skillauto is to identify and promote the exceptional talent of people working in the automotive industry, who may in turn have the opportunity to compete with the best from across the world at the prestigious WorldSkills event. If you are a technician, this competition will allow you to show your employer, friends and family that you are one of the best and can give you the confidence to pursue your career to the highest level. If you are an automotive employer, the national recognition of the skills of your outstanding technician will enhance your reputation and contribute to the ongoing success and profitability of your company. Skillauto runs competitions across three disciplines; autobody repair, car painting and light vehicle (service and maintenance). These competitions are designed to test competence in the application of the latest advancements in technology providing candidates with the opportunity to develop their skills further. The competitions are also focused on the needs of industry, with those competing to demonstrate their skills in the areas which make the UK automotive sector synonymous with quality services and sustainable profitable businesses. If you have no more than 3 years experience including training and think you are capable of competing with the top technicians in the UK, then please click here to register and take the online test. Those technicians who make the finals of the Skillauto competitions may also have the chance to take part in WorldSkills 2011 which is being held in London, providing the added incentive of UK technicians achieving honours on home soil. At the 2009 WorldSkills competition held in Calgary the UK automotive competitors won a bronze medal and two medallions of excellence. Lesley Woolley, Head of Professional Development, who manages Skillauto activity at the IMI said: "These competitions are a great way for automotive technicians to demonstrate their skill and ability against the very best in the industry. Skillauto helps to build confidence and ambition of the technicians who take part and enables employers to inject pride, ambition and recognition into their workforce." 08 September 09 : Success for the UK automotive team at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has applauded the achievements of the UK automotive team on their performance at the 2009 Worldskills competition in Canada. Twenty two year old Daniel Cain from Grimsby, who is City and Guilds qualified, won a bronze medal in the autobody repair category and there were also medallions of excellence awarded to Dean Jones and Zak McLaughlan in automobile technology and car painting respectively. WorldSkills 2009 was a successful competition for the whole team, with the UK winning three golds and six bronze medals in total and in addition, the UK was also awarded 14 Medallions for Excellence given to competitors who achieve at least 500 points, deemed the world class standard. Over four days of tough competition, 900 young people from across the world test themselves against rigorous international standards at the WorldSkills event, with the ultimate prize of winning gold, silver or bronze for their country. The UK automotive team has a good track record at previous WorldSkills competitions, in 2005, Andrew Blair won a gold medal in autobody repair in Helsinki, and in Japan in 2007, Jonathan Lloyd and Simon Noble each scooped a bronze medal in autobody repair and vehicle painting, respectively. All the automotive competitors achieve their places following a tough selection process via regional and national Skillauto competitions. Commenting on the success of the UK trio, Sarah Sillars, Chief Executive at the IMI said: "Congratulations to Daniel on winning a bronze medal and to Dean and Zak for achieving medallions of excellence. Their medals are fantastic news not only for the individuals involved but also for the motor industry as a whole as their achievements demonstrate the high-level of skill needed to work in today’s automotive sector." Simon Bartley, Chief Executive of UK Skills, which manages Team UK said: "What Team UK has achieved is outstanding. They have all worked so hard to get to where they are and that has certainly paid off. Once again we have shown that we have the very best young talent in our country. It’s a tremendous result not just for the competitors, but for their employers, trainers and colleges. We hope to build on this success as we move towards the next WorldSkills Competition, which London will be hosting in 2011, where we hope to do even better. We are extremely proud of each and every one of them and can say that they are amongst the best in the world at their chosen skill. I send my heartfelt congratulations to the whole Team and look forward to welcoming them back to the UK." 06 July 09 : 3 young vehicle technicians chosen to represent UK at the biggest skills competition in the world UK Skills recently announced that 26 young men and women from across the country have been chosen as members of Team UK, a team of skilled young people, who will fly to Canada in September to compete at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 - the largest skills based competition there is - in skills ranging from plumbing to landscape gardening and IT. The team was welcomed by James Cracknell, OBE and Chris Humphries, UK Skills Chairman. At WorldSkills over 200,000 spectators are expected to watch a total of over 900 competitors from 51 countries, competing in skills ranging from bricklaying to landscape gardening, cooking and floristry. Representing Team UK at Car Painting is Zak McLaughlan, 19, from Denham, who works for Solus Norwich Union and who trains at Thatcham's Automtive Academy. In Autobody Repair Daniel Cain, 22, from Grimsby, who works for Just Car Clinics and in Automobile Technology, Dean Jones, 20, from Swansea, who works for Mercedes-Benz of Swansea. Simon Bartley, Chief Executive of UK Skills, who manage Team UK said "We are very pleased to welcome each and every member of Team UK. The quality and dedication all our competitors demonstrated during the selection process was of the highest level, but the exceptional work that these 26 individuals carried out proved to judges that they had what it takes to be part of Team UK and represent their country. Being selected for the Team however does not mean it�??s time to relax. From now until September the Team will need to train hard to make sure that they are up to the world class standard they need to be at, to be able to compete against the best young skilled people in the world. We wish them luck in their final months of training." Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said: "This team of talented young people are determined to make a difference in their careers and will represent the UK in showing the rest of the world just how talented our country is. "In these tougher times it’s more important than ever that we continue to support and invest in the skills of our workforce, helping individuals get into and stay on at work as well as helping businesses stay competitive and prepare for the upturn." James Cracknell 'Double Olympic Gold medallist and adventurer' commented "I am delighted to be here today to have met so many members of the team who will represent the UK at the WorldSkills Competition in Calgary. Each of the 26 young men and women who have been selected should be rightly proud of their achievements. There is no greater thrill than representing your country. When they get to Calgary it will be the end of a very long journey as each and every one of them has already undertaken months and months of rigorous training. It will also be the start of another journey, for competing at this level will catapult their careers to a new level. I wish them the very best of luck in the competition." WorldSkills Calgary 2009 takes place from 1st-6th September. There are 26 members of Team UK, who will compete in 25 skill categories. 02 July 09 : UK’s top young technician announced at the Skillauto final Twenty year old John Couldridge who works for Inchcape Honda in Romford, Essex, has been crowned the UK’s top young automotive technician in a national skills competition. John competed against the very best young automotive technicians in the Skillauto competition in the Light Vehicle Repair and Maintenance category, which was held at Thatcham, the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre. Competitors had to demonstrate their diagnostic and repair skills on a variety of vehicles and systems. Since March 2007, John has been working towards an NVQ level 3 in Vehicle Maintainence and Repair at the Honda Institute as part of the Honda Apprenticeship Programme. Along with a number of other Honda Apprentices, John took part in the first stage of the competition while attending a training block at the Honda Institute. From there John was identified as one of the top achievers in this initial stage and was invited to attend a regional final hosted by Honda before going onto the UK national finals. Finishing in joint second place was Matthew McCormack who works at the Maiden Newton Service Station in Dorset and Andrew Davidson from Henry’s Honda in Glasgow. Managed and run by the IMI, the aim of Skillauto is to identify and promote the exceptional talent of young people working in the automotive industry, who might then have the opportunity to go on and compete with the best from across the world at the prestigious WorldSkills events held every 2 years, such as Calgary to be held later this year and in London in 2011. Lesley Woolley, Head of Professional Development, who manages Skillauto activity at the IMI said: "Our congratulations go to John and the six other light vehicle technicians who competed in the UK Skillauto final. All the finalists have demonstrated the world class skill levels at which individuals now need to work at in the automotive sector, this re-enforces their status as professional engineers and delivers long overdue status and respect." Skillauto has achieved one of the best track records for a national skills competition with medallists at the last two global competitions. Competing and winning on the international stage at WorldSkills is an integral part of the IMI’s ambitious plans to improve the perception of careers in the automotive sector. Pictured are the winner John Couldridge and Ian Eustace, Technical Trainer for Skillauto 03 April 09 : Regional heat receives ministerial visit The Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon MP paid a visit to the first day of a regional heat of the Skillauto competition. The event which took place at EMCAT at South Nottingham College on 27 and 28 March was the first of five regional heats in the auto tech (light vehicle) category. Friday’s competition was won by Daniel Houseman from Twells of Bilinghay and the winner of Saturday’s competition was Chris Wileman from Castle Garage, Ashby. The highest scoring competitors from across all five heats are selected to go through to the national final which takes place at Thatcham in June. Pictured with Geoff Hoon are College Principal Malcolm Cowgill (left) and Bill Jones (right) together with some of the competitors in the heat. The next heat will be at Bridgewater College on 8-9th April. 25 March 09 : Young technicians to put their skills to the test at Skillauto regional heats Following a record number of entries received, young technicians from across the country have now been invited to compete in a series of heats to find the best young technician in the UK. The aim of Skillauto is to identify and promote the exceptional talent of young people working in the automotive industry, who might then have the opportunity to compete with the best from across the world at the prestigious WorldSkills event. Skillauto runs competitions across three disciplines; autobody repair, car painting and light vehicle (service and maintenance). They are designed to reflect the latest advancements in technology and business requirements, providing candidates with the opportunity to develop their skills further. The top 24 technicians in the light vehicle category will compete in regional heats being held at 5 locations across the country where they will be asked to perform 6 practical tasks assessed to Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) standards. Those in the autobody repair and paint categories will compete at regional heats in Blackburn, Berkshire and Glasgow. The finals of all three disciplines will then take place at Thatcham in June. Lesley Upham, Director of Commercial Development at Thatcham and Chair of the Skillauto Steering Committee, said: “The record number of entries received for this year’s competitions highlights the number of young technicians who want to prove that they are the best in their field. These competitions allow young people to demonstrate their passion and ability and help to build confidence. We hope that some of those competing in the regional heats this year can then go onto the WorldSkills event taking place in London in 2011.” The highest scorers from last year’s Skillauto competitions: Daniel Cain in the autobody repair category; Zac McLaughlan, and Ben Eaton for car painting; Paul Abbey and Dean Jones in the automobile technology (light vehicle) category have already been named to join the UK Squad. They will now undergo extensive training leading up to the final squad selection in June when the team is chosen to represent the UK at the next WorldSkills event in Calgary in September. Lesley Woolley, Head of Professional Development, who manages Skillauto activity at the IMI added: “Congratulations to Daniel, Zac, Ben, Paul and Dean on their selection to the UK Squad for WorldSkills and we wish them luck in the final selection process. The Skillauto competitions continue to show the high skill levels needed to work in the motor industry and deliver long overdue status and respect to young people working in the sector.” The confirmed regional competition dates and venues are EMCAT – Ruddington 27th & 28th March Bridgwater College – 8th & 9th April Honda – 15th April Toyota – awaiting confirmation 3rd February 2009 : WorldSkills squad selected The final 30 members of the UK WorldSkills squad have been announced, with bodyshop industry representatives Zak McLaughlan, Ben Eaton and Daniel Cain amongst them. The squad will now prepare for the final selection process in June. The new squad members were announced at a special event at Canada House, Trafalgar Square, which celebrated the success of the squad so far and went on to highlight the importance of skills in the UK. Simon Bartley, Chief Executive of UK Skills, said, “Each person on the squad has already shown that they have tremendous talent in their field but all of them now face months of hard training to make sure they are world class in order to be able to compete at WorldSkills in Canada in September. We need to be investing in this talent and preparing ourselves for the new challenges and competition that inevitably lies ahead.” Scottish auto technician claims top spot in UK skills competition Twenty year old Paul Abbey, from Melrose, has been crowned the UK's top young automotive technician in a national skills competition. Paul, who works at Gattonside Garage in the Scottish Borders competed against the very best young automotive technicians in the UK Skillauto competition in the Light Vehicle Repair and Maintenance category, which was held at the Motor Industry Research Centre at Thatcham, Berkshire. Competitors had to demonstrate their diagnostic and repair skills on a variety of vehicles and systems. Paul came out on top, collecting a trophy and prizes from competition sponsor, Snap-on Tools. Bill Lowes, Paul's employer, was delighted with the result and said: "We never doubted Paul would do well and I'm sure his enthusiasm, commitment and attitude will see him through the next stage." During his training, Paul was awarded the Border Apprentice of the Year award 2006 from the Scottish Motor Trade Association and in October 2007, he successfully won the Scottish heat of the Skillauto competition. Now with the UK title under his belt he will enter the selection process for the Worldskills competition which is being held in Canada next year. If selected, Paul will represent the UK automotive industry in the four day Light Vehicle competition, challenging for a world title. The IMI's Scottish development manager, David Massie, said: "With the pace of technological advance in our industry it is fantastic to see an enthusiastic group of young apprentices display the level of skills and knowledge needed to ensure Scotland?s garages keep up with these changes. Paul is a worthy champion who encompassed the philosophy of these competitions to stretch our best young talent beyond competence to excellence." SkillAuto has achieved one of the best track records for a national skills competition with medallists at the last two global competitions. Competing and winning on the international stage at WorldSkills is an integral part of the IMI?s ambitious plans to improve the perception of careers in the automotive sector, and address business need. The focus now turns to the competition in London in 2011, which will precede the hosting of the Olympic Games in 2012. Press Release from UK Skills 4 medals and 9 medallions of excellence won at WorldSkills 2007 Following a tough season for world championship sports events, the UK can be justifiably proud of a national team whose achievements can be truly celebrated. It was announced today, Wednesday 21st November, that the UK WorldSkills team, made up of 22 highly talented young people, has won a fantastic four medals and nine medallions of excellence at WorldSkills 2007, the biggest skills based competition in the world. This year's team score results placed the UK 11th in the world overall, and fourth in Europe, improving the UK?s position in the team league table by one place from 2005. WorldSkills is a gruelling four day event, held every two years, in which 49 nations compete in skills such as engineering, landscape gardening, graphic design, hairdressing and beauty therapy and which this year saw over 200,000 spectators turn out in support. The UK team competed hard in 21 skill categories and has achieved the following: Gold - won by Gary Tuddenham (22) in the cabinet making event Silver - won by Harry Smith, (22) in the graphic design event Bronze - won by Simon Noble, (21) in the autobody repair event Bronze - won by Jonathan Lloyd (21), in the car painting event Medallion of Excellence - won by Stuart Greer (20), in the welding event Medallion of Excellence - won by Jonathan Bourne (21), in the bricklaying event Medallion of Excellence - won by Ben Ingersent (21), in the joinery event Medallion of Excellence - won by Natalie Stanyer (21), in the floristry event Medallion of Excellence - won by Donna Leach (22), in the hairdressing event Medallion of Excellence - won by Jade Kidd (19), in the beauty therapy event Medallion of Excellence - won by Will Torrent (21), in the confectionery event Medallion of Excellence - won by Keith Chapman & Tim Lancaster (both 21), in the landscape gardening event Medallion of Excellence - won by Andrew Critchlow (21), in the IT PC & Network event John Denham, Secretary of State said: 'WorldSkills is about raising the status and the standards of vocational education. What this years team has done epitomises that. Forty-nine nations competed highlighting how essential these skills are globally. For our team to have achieved such great results proves we have skills in this country at world class levels. This team is helping to break down the snobbery around skills training - there is nothing second best about good skills-based careers. "Throughout their training and the competition the team showed magnificent pride in their work. I hope that young people seeing what has been achieved in Japan will feel inspired to take up skills they can excel at professionally. I want many more to rise to the challenge themselves for the next competition in Canada in 2009 and again in 2011 when London will be hosting WorldSkills - and when we can show we can be the best!" David Lammy, Minister for Skills said: "I have met each and every one of these young people and can testify to their hard work and achievement. Their skills are the very best of British. Each team member is entitled to be very proud of what they have achieved." Chris Humphries, Chairman of UK Skills and newly appointed chief executive of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills said: "Skills matter to UK businesses and the UK economy, and WorldSkills provides the ultimate benchmark of a nation's young people, and the education and training we provide them. These 22 young UK competitors rose to the challenges presented by the WorldSkills competitions and confirmed that they are indeed true champions - up there with the best in the world. To them all, to our medal and medallion winners, and to their teachers and trainers, UK Skills offer our heartiest congratulations!" Simon Bartley, Chief Executive of UK Skills, who coordinates the UK participation in WorldSkills, said "The team has worked so hard from the day that they were selected all the way through to the end of the competition to ensure they were the best they could be, so the results they have achieved are absolutely deserved. The results are really great and we are very proud of the whole team. They have ensured that the UK is well on its way to being World class by 2020." Rob Wye, Director, Strategy and Communications Group and The Learning Group commented "The UK results in the WorldSkills competition reflect the improvements and excellence being delivered through the Further Education system. The hard work and ambitions of the individuals who have achieved medals is to be congratulated. We hope these great achievements inspire other individuals to develop their talents and skills - for personal and professional gain." The team will now spend time in Shanghai for a de-brief and review on how the competition went before returning home to the UK. Preparation will then start to secure a new team to take part in WorldSkills 2009 and WorldSkills 2011, when London will host the event. The UK WorldSkills team is managed by UK Skills working in partnership with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Scottish Executive, the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland, the Welsh Assembly Government and key partners from education, government and industry. Supporters of the 2007 team include; City & Guilds, the Learning and Skills Council, the Quality Improvement Agency, Honda, L'Or�al Professionnel, Snickers Workwear and Brathay. Competition Deadline extended The deadline to complete the skillauto Light Vehicle Competition has been extended to 9th October Competition Deadline extended The deadline to complete the skillauto Light Vehicle Competition has been extended to 9th October True grit Endurance racing is one of the ultimate tests of man and machine. 2007 Worldskills finalist, Dan Glover (click on image for full size image), was among those who took part in the UK?s version of the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours at Silverstone. There's motor racing and there's endurance motorsport. Think of a Formula One race and multiply it by twelve. Over sixty cars in five different classes, racing into the sunset, through the night, welcoming the sunrise and knowing there are still eight hours to go. Throw in a smattering of accidents, pit lane dramas and a bunch of guys from BBC?s Top Gear programme and you have a blend of high octane excitement which is both exhilarating and exhausting. Launched in 2005, the Britcar 24 Hours of Silverstone is the jewel in the calendar of the European Endurance and Racing Club, which has brought a major 24-hour race back to the UK after an absence of more than a decade. Among the field this year was a Nissan 350Z run by Shawn Taylor Racing with support from Automotive Distributors, IMI, Mondial UK and Snap-on. Assisting a crack squad of technicians, was Dan Glover, the UK?s finalist for the Worldskills competition, who joined a team of apprentices and lecturers from Warwickshire College, which had helped the team last year. As the race got into its stride, things were going well with the Nissan moving up the field steadily to 27th place but in the sixth hour, the differential began to overheat, leading to the failure of the seals. Ultimately, the car had to be retired but not before a valiant effort by all concerned. All the team and sponsors wish Dan the best of luck in Japan in November. Craft Award Winners Announced The winners of the 2007 Thatcham/Bodyshop craft awards in the Young Panel and Young Paint categories were announced live at Bodyshop Magazine?s 11th Annual Awards dinner on the 21st September. Congratulations to the winners who were Young Panel Technician Joseph Franks, Rally Repaints, Selby, North Yorkshire Young Paint Technician Shane Lawrence, A & J Lawrence, Portsmouth, Hampshire The young Technician Craft Awards are used by Skillauto as the selection route for UK representation at the Worldkskills competition which is held every two years. Skillauto Competition Winners to represent Britain at Worldskills 2006 competition winners in Panel, Paint and Light Vehicle will get the chance to demonstrate their skills on the world stage later on this year. Young Panel Technician of the Year, Simon Noble from Simon Bailes Peugeot, Young Painter, Jonathan Lloyd from Bavarian Agnew Repair Centre and Light Vehicle repair and Maintenance winner, Dan Glover from Honda have all been selected to represent Britain at this year's Worldkskills competition in Japan. For Jonathan and Simon their selection completes a hat trick having both won the Bodyshop/Thatcham Young Technician Craft Awards two years running. The young Technician Craft Awards are used by SkillAuto as the selection route for UK representation at the Worldkskills competition which is held every two years. This year 800 people from 48 countries will compete in 40 different vocational categories over four intensive days. In 2005 Britains competitor in the Autobody Repair category did the industry proud by coming back with the UK's only gold medal. Good luck to Simon, Jonathan And Dan. Young Panel and Paint Competitions : Testing Days Announced The testing days for competitors in the Young Panel Technician and Young Painter of the Year competitions will take place at Thatcham on the 20th and 21st June. The event will be part of Thatcham?s Triple Focus show which will guarantee plenty of visitors and spectators as competitors go head to head in this, the national final. The winner in each category will be announced later at the Bodyshop Magazine Industry Event on the 20th and 21st September at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. UK win makes London WorldSkills capital for 2011 The UK has won a bid to host the WorldSkills Competition in London in 2011. Voting took place in Melbourne at the WorldSkills Annual General Meeting with delegates from the 38 different member nations of the WorldSkills organisation. WorldSkills, held every two years, will take place in London from the 6th to the 9th October 2011. The competition will be in ExCeL London, one of the main venues for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. The UK bid faced strong competition from Australia and Sweden.