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IRTE Skills Challenge reveals best bus engineers during Westminster awards

IRTE Skills Challenge reveals best bus engineers during Westminster awards

Tuesday, 28 June 2011 8:47 AM

Following months of preparation, which saw five operators compete during practical challenges earlier this month at the state-of-the-art premises of S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol, scores of leading industry representatives applauded as IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) President Chris Grime announced the winners.

Teams from Arriva, Ipswich Bus, Translink, Go-Ahead and First Group all took part in the first competition, which promises to return next year bigger and better than ever.

A Professional Sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), IRTE, a membership organisation for engineering professionals in road transport, launched the competition last November, receiving vital support from key sponsors Allison Transmission, Bridgestone, Cummins, Knorr-Bremse and Shell FuelSave Diesel.

With some fantastic prizes for winners generously donated by Halfords Trade, the aim of the IRTE Skills Challenge is to reward excellence in engineering, whilst celebrating an industry that often is unrecognised. The competition was based around the IRTE’s technician licensing scheme, irtec, and included individual bodywork, electrical and mechanical categories, in addition to three team awards.

IRTE Skills Challenge 2011 winners:

Top Scoring Mechanical Technician (presented by Allison Transmission)
William Scott, Translink
Top Scoring Electrical Technician (presented by Cummins)
Nick Field, Go-Ahead London
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician (presented by Shell FuelSave Diesel)
Gary Jones, Arriva North West & Wales
Electrical, Mechanical & Body Team Award (presented by Knorr-Bremse)
Go Ahead London
Mechanical & Electrical Combined Award (presented by Bridgestone)
Go-Ahead London
Best Collaboration on Teamwork Challenge Award (presented by IRTE)
Translink.

During the event, Chris Grime said: “The IRTE Skills Challenge represents the IRTE’s key aims: to support, develop, recognise and reward engineering competence within the road transport industry. Engineering professionals are an essential part of society and none more so than those technicians working on buses. They really are the unsung heroes of the industry and it is high time their work is appreciated.

“Without their vital skills, millions of people across the country would not get to school, to work, or to see family and friends. Quite simply, the country could not operate without their contribution. This competition highlights the entire industry, and truly celebrates the people behind the scenes making the travel we take for granted happen.”

ends.

Editors notes:

For further information or images about the IRTE Skills Challenge/IRTE, please contact:

David Jones
Editorial & PR Coordinator
020 7630 1111
david.jones@soe.org.uk

IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers)

The IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), one of the most respected names in UK transport, has been recognised as an impartial voice of the industry since 1947.

A Professional Sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), IRTE publishes an industry-leading technical journal, Transport Engineer, every month.

Transport Engineer, also available on www.transportengineer.org.uk, is renowned for its incisive coverage of key issues, authoritative reporting, news analysis and informed comment.

IRTE also hosts technical seminars, promotes efficiency and best practice. Recent events include trips and falls from vehicles, truck operation, fuel efficiency and the Road Safety Act.

IRTE’s technical committee also produces regular industry guidance on key topics.

IRTE members come from a wide variety of transport-related roles. These include workshop managers, fleet engineers, transport managers, company directors, apprentices and technicians in the light and heavy goods vehicle and bus and coach sectors.

David Jones
david.jones@soe.org.uk

Editorial and PR Coordinator

SOE, 22 Greencoat Place, London, SW1P 1PR
D: 020 7630 2150
T: 020 7630 1111
F: 020 7630 6677

SOE members - are your details up to date? Log in to: www.soe.org.uk/my-soe or call 020 7630 6666
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