Bristol Academy puts UK's elite automotive technicians to the test

BRISTOL, U.K. - June 18, 2013 - PRLog -- Bristol academy puts UK’s elite technicians to the test

For the third successive year, S&B Automotive Academy was the venue for the IRTE Skills Challenge, which brought together the best bus and coach technicians in the UK, representing some of the biggest names in public transport including Arriva, First Group, Go-Ahead and Translink.

Competing over three days, contestants competed in a series of rigorous mechanical, electrical, bodywork and tyre examination tasks, put together by specialists at S&B and IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers).

Commenting on the event, Deputy Chief Executive of S&B, Richard Belton, explained:

“Throughout the testing the candidates were a credit to their companies. They were able to demonstrate their skills in the tasks set and show to the world that bus operators are making the investment in developing their skills to match the advancing technical requirements of this industry.”

Sponsored by Allison Transmission, BAE Systems, Bridgestone, Knorr-Bremse and Shell Lubricants, the IRTE Skills Challenge provided a fantastic opportunity for the country’s elite technicians to prove their technical competence. With the crucial support of the sponsors, as well as vehicle donors, Arriva, MAN, Scania and Volvo, the competition once again placed a major emphasis on the skills required in this sector of industry.

Nick Jones, Chief Executive of IRTE’s umbrella organisation SOE (Society of Operations Engineers) said: “Bus technicians are responsible for keeping public vehicles safe and reliable on the UK’s roads. The IRTE Skills Challenge highlights the entire bus industry and represents our key aims of supporting, recognising and rewarding technical excellence.”

The winners of the 2013 IRTE Skills Challenge will be announced next month at a special ceremony at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey.