As the IMI Skills Competitions 2021 final draws near we wanted to introduce you to these 6 individuals who have been nominated, taken an online test, scored high enough to sit another online exam and made it through to be the top 6 in the UK for Automotive technology! These are the stars of future and will compete in 6 tasks over 2 days at Cardiff and Vale College in just two weeks’ time.
Oliver Brown– Oliver entered the competition last year so, so far he’s known the process but this year he will have the final to change it up a bit. Oliver goes to Farnborough College of technology where he studies Light vehicle. He does has an apprenticeship with Lanzante where he is in his final year.
During the pandemic he was made redundant but luckily found a job with Lanzante after being proactive and reaching out, His manager charlotte said they don’t usually take on apprentices and that the way he conducted himself in reaching out made them give him a chance and it’s been a win/win situation.
Lanzante is different to some of the other companies that have come forward in the IMI Skills competition before in that they are diverse and work in racing, on the track and it’s not your normal 9-5. Oliver is privileged to work on the types of cars he does, everyday is different and you have to adapt to meet expectation, it’s more than a skill it’s a mind-set. Let hope that mind set wins Oliver a medal.
Damien Tchorzewski- Damien is studying Level 3 light vehicle maintenance at Edinburgh College whilst working as a technician with Arnold Clark – Livingston Vauxhall, a business well known in the industry. Damien is looking forward to the competition and doing all of the tasks. The satisfaction on working in a new environment on different cars is giving him motivation. He passed qualifications in Poland but had to redo his qualification to get a job in the UK.
Damien’s Employers are helping him a lot and making sure the jobs he gets challenge him enough o prepare him for things he might face in the final. Damien says the best thing about his job is everyday is different so I don’t feel like im stuck in time.
We will have to see if we can play his theme tune Toshiro Masuda- Naruto Main Theme as he walks in to the competition final at Cardiff and Vale!
Ian Robertson– Ian in is in his 3rd year at Stenton College Fife. His family run a farm but his Dad wanted him to have do something to make him more successful, from a young age he was always into cars and wheels so it was an easy choice. He chose light vehicle maintenance through chance as he was looking for work experience, He was going to go to ‘KwikFit’ but his Grandad pointed him to the local garage ‘James Moodie’s motor engineers’ and everything started from there.
Ian’s Manager Gordon Moodie now speaks of Ian as part of the family. They run a small family business in Scotland where they worked hard to keep the locals on the go during the pandemic and have built up a great reputation over the years. Gordon said ‘Ian had great customer service skills. Were really proud of him, he goes the extra mile for customers. It’s a word of mouth business and he’s been integral to growing the business it feels like you’ve lost your left arm when he’s not here. He’s become a member of the family.’
The pandemic was hard work and Ian’s manager did furlough him but he didn’t sit still. He got stuck in on the family business and helped his Dad on the farm, hopefully this work ethic will pay off in the final stages of competition!
Luke Merchant– Luke is currently studying a Level 3 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair at Weston College. He also works for Carbase who are a successful family run business.
Luke’s Manager Nick and the business are proud of him announcing his achievement on their website stating ‘Congratulations to Luke Merchant, from our esteemed Auto Centre team, who has earned a finalist position in the Automotive Technology category at the IMI Skills competition! Well done to everyone involved, and best of luck!’
You can read more and find out about Carbase here : https://www.carbase.co.uk/news-and-features/company-news/carbase-apprentice-imi-skills-competition/
Liam Ward- Liam Works for Truetest Motors and is doing his IMI Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles with Edinburgh college. So far he has found the competition challenging but exciting.
Liam Says ‘Vehicles have always been interesting to me for as long as I can remember’. When it comes to the competition Liam is most looking forward to networking and working and learning from others in the industry, which we think is one of the great things about this kind of competition.
Why not check out Liam’s choice of theme tune ‘SG Lewis – Chemicals’ as you prepare to support him for the final!
Alexander Mills – Alex is studying with the impressive BMW academy where he is in his final year of an IMI light vehicle technician level 3. He Says he has a passion for solving problems and working on cars of course which certainly will help him get through the final as well as help in his day to day job with Chandler BMW Brighton.
Alex is looking forward to talking to others and getting to know their approach he says ‘it will be exciting and useful to see other brands approaches to repairs’. We hope to see these problem solving skills in action soon and maybe a medal will follow a great performance at the final.