The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced the finalists for this year’s SkillAuto competition.

The event aims to identify the UK’s best young automotive technicians and the final will be held at the UK Skills Show, at the NEC, in November.

Competition tasks include: preparing and painting panels, scratch repair and colour matching for the Autopaint competitors; welding, metal finish repairs and plastic fill repairs for the Autobody competitors; and timing belt change, transmission reassembly and fault diagnosis activities for the Autotech competitors.

Steve Nash, IMI chief executive, said: “Congratulations to all of the SkillAuto competitors that have made it through to the upcoming finals.  SkillAuto is a vital tool for placing the spotlight on the importance of skills in the motor industry.”

The 2013 finalists are:

Autobody

Andrew McDonald (PJ McLaughlin Auto Body) Northern Ireland
Carlo Cipriani (Arnold Clark) Scotland
David Stewart (River Park Training) Northern Ireland
Jordan Thomas (TWK Thomas & Sons) Wales
Lewis Lloyd (BP Rolls Group) Wales
Mark McCarron (Monaghan Brothers) Northern Ireland
Matthew Bailey (RGM) Wales

Autopaint

Anthony Miotti (J M Motors) England
Jack King (Nationwide Crash Repair Centre – Scunthorpe) England
James Grayson (S & G Coachworks) England
Keiren Jones(Nationwide Crash Repair Centre – Ely) Wales
Leon Ivin (Magor Motors) Wales
Martin Inglis (Kinghorn Body Shop) Scotland

Autotech 

Damien Robinson (Honda) England
Darrell Delaney (Kia) England
Elliott Byers (Subaru) Scotland
Michael Collins (Donnelly Brothers) Northern Ireland
Ryan Banks (Honda) England
Turlough Lennon (Jaguar) England