Time to test your skills

Entries for this year’s IRTE Skills Challenge, the competition for bus and coach technicians and apprentices, are now being sought.

The event is celebrating its tenth anniversary with the addition of a new technical test. The new challenge is based on the joint mechanical and electrical skills base, known as mechelec, and is intended to reflect the industry’s growing need for multi-skilled technicians who are proficient in both disciplines. Also as part of the anniversary celebrations, an overseas Skills Challenge will take place in Singapore.

Sponsor Teng Tools will be giving away sets of the tools to winners and a new motor car driving experience will be on offer to the highest scorers.

SOE Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Moir, said: “Celebrating the anniversary, we can look back on the extraordinary growth from its launch ten years ago to the hugely influential competition it is today. Now, we will aim to build on that success with new and exciting initiatives.”

Trustee board member of the IRTE/SOE, Lloyd Mason, said: “A coach or bus operator should enter a team in the IRTE Skills Challenge because it’s a way of recognising and demonstrating how much they value the contribution of their technicians to the success of the business. First class vehicle maintenance is very much the ‘hidden’ part of running a successful passenger transport business, the technicians who work tirelessly to provide safe reliable vehicles for service deserve to be acknowledged. The IRTE Skills Challenge does exactly that but allowing them to showcase their skills against peers, and inviting them to a great awards presentation.

“A benefit for technicians entering the IRTE Skills Challenge is it is a great networking opportunity, participants get to meet and converse with technicians from other operators.”

• To take part in the competition or to find out more, email [email protected] or call 020 7630 2174.