The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced the 24 IMI Skills Competitions finalists that will compete at the live national finals in November.

The 24 finalists were decided following the conclusion of the National Qualifier events that took place across the UK during May and June.

Nominated by their tutor or employer, top scoring apprentices took part in the National Qualifiers where expert judges selected students and apprentices from four key specialisms – Body Repair, Refinishing, Light Vehicle Technology, and Heavy Vehicle Technology.

The live national finals will be held in November at 10 colleges and training providers across Greater Manchester.

The winners will be announced at a medal ceremony at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester with the chance to go on to represent Team UK in EuroSkills 2025 at Herning in Denmark and WorldSkills International 2026 in Shanghai, China.

Richard Hutchins, IMI Skills Competitions Manager, said: “The six finalists from each stream impressed the judges with their level of skill, dedication and focus.

“And many of the 2023 finalists face additional learning and work challenges, living with dyslexia, autism and dyscalculia, making their success even more impressive.

“Automotive is often believed to be unsuitable for those who are neurodiverse or have disabilities, but these inspirational finalists prove otherwise.

“They are succeeding to the highest level in our increasingly inclusive and rich sector.”

The IMI said automotive is facing a 20-year high of 26,000 vacancies, and the IMI’s new Perceptions Campaign – Things Are Moving - aims to discredit outdated misperceptions that are at the heart of the recruitment challenges.

Hutchins said: “As a sector, we urgently need to come together to change the long-held negative perceptions and encourage more people to consider automotive careers.

“We need to fill around 112,000 roles in the next decade, spanning more than 200 occupations and these awards highlight the vast array of opportunities available, as well as the inspiring trainees and apprentices that will help to take automotive forward and ensure it evolves to be richer, more diverse, to best serve our customers.”

The 2023 finalists

Refinishing
Name	Training provider / college	Employer
Oisin Mckerr	Southern Regional Collage	Porters Bodyshop
Maksim Makutonovic		Wrights
Lewis Brayford	Doncaster, Rotherham and District GTA	BCA fleet solutions
Victoria Steele	NPTC Pontardawe	Sinclair
Declan James Phillips	GTA Doncaster	BCA Fleet Solutions
Thomas Fearnhead	Training 2000	Auto Spray Darwen
Body Repair
Name	Training provider / college	Employer
Robert Gray	Riverpark Training	Howell Accident Repair Centre
Jonathan Johnston	Riverpark Training	Tbr NI
Alec Archie Macleod	Edinburgh College Sitehill	Highland Motors ltd
Jordan Lingham	NPTC Pontardawe	Sinclairs
Adrian Matthews	S&B Automotive Academy	Ultimate Accident Repair Services
Aiden Lee Cheetham	Blackpool and the Fylde College	The Vella Group
Light Vehicle Technology
Name	Training provider / college	Employer
Oliver Young	Perth UHI	J&R Auto Services
Elliot Ritchie	Calex UK	Western Mazda
Jack Robert Johnston	Perth UHI	JR Auto Services
Ryan Cullen	Southwest College	AL Services
Ashley Hursey	Volkswagen Group National Learning Centre	Audi Approved Colchester
Matthew Kemp	Volvo UK	Ray Chapman Motors
Heavy Vehicle Technology
Name	Training provider / college	Employer
Ben Turner	Skillnet	Harris DAF High Wycombe
Aleksander Zielechowski	Remit College	PCL West Thurrock
Joseph Roberts	Fife College	Fife Council
Nicholas Garrett	Gateshead College	South Tyneside Council
Harry Cooper	Sparshatt Academy	Sparshatts Truck and Van
Jack Fitton	Scania Academy Remit	Scania