The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has celebrated the talents of some of the UK’s top young technicians after revealing the winners of its 2022 Skills Competition.

Lookers' Charles Hurst, AM Philip Truck Tech, IRG Pontypridd and Scania technicians scooped gold awards in the annual challenge after demonstrating their skills to emerge as the top-ranked performers from a field of entrants that included over 500 students and apprentices.

A total of 23 winners were selected for awards across four categories: Light Vehicle Technology, Body Repair, Refinishing and Heavy Vehicle.

All the eligible finalists now go forward to the World Skills International competition to be held in Lyon in September 2024.

IMI competitions manager Richard Hutchins said: “2022 has been another challenging year for the sector, yet we have seen a cohort of highly skilled automotive apprentices, of all ages, step forward.

“The applicants and finalists come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and from groups that are generally under-represented in automotive.

“As the IMI Diversity Task Force works to increase diversity and address the growing skills gap, we hope the diversity of gender, ability and ethnic background represented on this programme will inspire others from under-represented groups and those with disabilities to apply for apprenticeships, courses and jobs within automotive. After all, a more diverse sector is a stronger sector.”

The Skills Competition is said to deliver tangible career benefits for its entrants.

According to the IMI, 90% of previous entrants said their career progression improved after competing, with 86% stating their personal and employability skills had improved.

Here are the winners of the IMI’s 2022 Skills Competition:

Each of the competitors in the IMI’s 2022 Skills Competition completed an online quiz, took part in a one-day practical national qualifier and underwent training days and employer visits after being nominated for the challenge by their employer.

The finalists then came together at Cardiff and Vale College for a two-day practical live final for World Skills UK, completing six tasks in front of a team of volunteer judges.

Hutchins said: “Once again, we have been impressed with the determination, commitment and technical skill of all applicants for this year’s Skills Competition. The judges had a tough job to select the winners.”