Motor Vehicle students compete at regional Auto competition

Motor Vehicle students from South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Downpatrick campus have recently competed at the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Skill Auto competition National Heats.

The IMI Skill Auto competitions set out to identify the most talented young apprentices working in the automotive sector. Run annually they are designed to raise standards, esteem and levels of expertise in technical skills across four streams of competition including Automotive Technology, Automotive Body Repair, Automotive Refinishing and Heavy Vehicle Engineering to find the best in the UK.

Under the watchful eye of the judges, the competitors completed a series of tasks set to test their skills in automotive technology. When the winners were announced both students were celebrating with Glenn securing second place and Gareth third place in their heat.

From hundreds of entries across the UK the students got to take part in the heats in the hope of qualifying for the national finals and the possibility of becoming UK champion. Gareth Rea (Age 26) from Downpatrick who studies the Motor Vehicle – Apprenticeship NI course and Glenn Palmer (Age 18) from Dundrum who studies the Level 2 Traineeship in Motor Vehicle competed at the Henry Ford Academy in the Technology National Qualifier.

SERC Head of School for the School of Construction, Engineering Services and Skills for Work John Nixon said:

“I am extremely proud of both students. They have shown a great deal of determination and desire to succeed through their learning and perfecting their skills through each of their courses.  The IMI Skill Auto competition is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills to the rest of the UK and will ultimately help them in their future careers.” 

Both students are now going to compete at the national finals held at the WORLD SKILLS UK LIVE event held at the NEC, Birmingham in November.

Applications are now open for courses starting in September.