UK’s Auto Industry competitions shift up a gear in 2007

SkillAuto, the national organisation that manages Auto Industry skills competitions in the UK, has announced a dynamic new corporate identity to support the forthcoming 2007 competitions cycle.

A brand new redesigned website is also launched today, giving details of the 2007 competitions including the Craft Awards for Young Painter of the Year and Young Panel Technician of the Year, and the Light Vehicle Repair competition. The new site can be found here: skillauto.co.uk

SkillAuto is a voluntary organisation that aims to raise the standard of technician training within the UK automotive repair industry. It does this by running national skill competitions which focus attention upon the quality of skills required by the modern day technician. SkillAuto runs regional and national competitions for the motor industry in mechanical repair and servicing in light and heavy vehicle and national competitions in autobody repair and painting.

SkillAuto works closely with UK Skills, the organisation responsible for managing and training the UK team for the WorldSkills competition. In 2007, three young auto technicians will be heading to WorldSkills Japan to represent the country in their chosen field:
- Dan Glover, a mechanic who works at Honda Pennine, Ashton-Under-Lyne
- Jonathan Lloyd, a car painter who works at Agnew Group, Belfast
- Simon Noble, an autobody technician who works at Simon Bailes in Stockton-on-Tees

Individuals who are successful in the 2007 SkillAuto competitions may be invited to attend a selection event to decide on the team that will represent the UK at WorldSkills 2009 in Calgary, Canada. Jacqui Henderson, UK Skills’ Chief Executive is delighted to be working with SkillAuto: “Automotive competitions are one of the UK’s strongest events at WorldSkills. In 2005, Andrew Blair won a gold medal in autobody repair and I look forward to seeing exceptional levels of achievement from our three auto competitors in Japan in November.”

Lesley Upham, Communications Director at Thatcham and Chair of SkillAuto, is delighted by the increased profile that SkillAuto is gaining: “Skills competitions are a hugely rewarding way for young technicians to aim for excellence and to benchmark their abilities against others. Their employers gain by having more skilful, highly motivated staff and the industry benefits by being more competitive. The launch of the new SkillAuto brand will allow us to emphasise these benefits to a broader audience and drive home the message that competitions are for everyone.”