Making its return this year is the IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge.

Back for its 12th anniversary, the event is taking ‘Challenging the Status Quo’ as its theme this year, which IRTE says embodies its commitment to driving innovation, workforce excellence, and empowering the next generation of bus and coach technicians.

The Skills Challenge is a national competition where PSV engineers, technicians and apprentices from across the bus and coach sector meet at the S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol and put their skills to the test in a variety of challenges.

Since its origin, the Skills Challenge, organised by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) in partnership with S&B Automotive Academy, has had over 650 technicians take part, providing them with a platform to test their skills across electrical, mechanical and bodywork.

New optional category

This year, the Skills Challenge is introducing a new optional category featuring new technology. IRTE says this new addition is aimed at giving competitors the chance to embrace the future of transportation, gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge innovations and showcase their adaptability in a rapidly evolving industry.

The competition is open to operators of all sizes with everyone welcome. Last year saw entries from Lothian, trentbarton, Arriva, First Bus and Go-Ahead.

“The IRTE Skills challenge is focusing on existing and future technologies” – Richard Belton, Operations Director, S&B Automotive Academy

Richard Belton, Operations Director, S&B Automotive Academy, said: “The IRTE Skills challenge is focusing on existing and future technologies. We want to show the development of skills within the industry and the high levels that are attainable. The skills challenge has not forgotten about safety and the everyday skills that technicians and body repairers need for the industry, but we will also be adding in a new category for those people that have more experience in the advancing technologies side of the business. This will encompass the whole range of new fuels and propulsion systems within bus and coach and so will test further the advancing skill levels in the industry.”

“The IRTE Skills Challenge isn’t just celebrating excellence, it’s redefining it” – Oliver Teasell, Membership and Registration Manager, SOE

Oliver Teasell, Membership and Registration Manager, SOE, said: “The IRTE Skills Challenge isn’t just celebrating excellence, it’s redefining it. By challenging the status quo and embracing new technologies, we’re not just testing skills, we’re empowering the next generation to thrive in an environment where innovation and alternative fuels to power public transport will become essential.”

• Entries are now open for the IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge 2024. Register your interest here.