Northern Ireland’s best young automotive talent in the fields of Autobody and Autopaint and Autotech competed for gold at the final of the SkillAuto competition which took place at the Skills Show held at the NEC Birmingham from 15th – 17th November.

Over 100,000 young people attended the show, which provides a platform for the best of the nation’s young talent to compete in their chosen fields, as well as giving visitors the chance to have a go at new skills and gain careers advice.

Eighteen competitors took part in the SkillAuto final, having already fought off over 1,200 entrants to reach this stage. Organised by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), SkillAuto is a national competition which seeks to find the best young automotive technicians in a knockout competition. The competitor’s skills were put to the test over two days, where their expertise in their chosen fields was judged by industry experts in front of a live audience. At the end of the competition Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were announced.

Matthew Quinn, an apprentice at the Charles Hurst Accident Repair Centre in Co. Antrim, secured a Gold medal in the Autobody repair competition, while Gary Greer an apprentice at John Lennon Accident Repair in Co. Tyrone won Gold in the Autopaint contest.

The Autotech competition, which tests participant’s diagnostic and vehicle servicing skills, was won by Mark Yates, an apprentice at Holdcroft Honda in Stoke on Trent. The Gold medal winners have also been invited to visit the McLaren Technology Centre in Surrey.

David Massie, the IMI’s Skills Competition Manager, said: “SkillAuto showcases the very best young talent within our industry and the standard at this year’s exciting final was extremely high. All of the finalists demonstrated the highest levels of technical expertise under intense pressure and in my mind they all deserve to be winners. This UK-wide competition is an important showcase for the high levels of skill required in the motor industry and I have no doubt that it has inspired a whole new generation to consider a career in our exciting sector.”

SkillAuto is sponsored and made possible by IMI Awards, Würth, Morelli, NOVA VERTA, SATA and Car-O-Liner, as well as BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, KIA and the McLaren Group. To find out more about SkillAuto and career opportunities in the motor industry please visit www.autocity.org.uk.

SkillAuto finalists & winners:
AutoBody

Gold: Matthew Quinn, Charles Hurst Accident Repair Centre, County Antrim
Silver: Matthew Bailey, RGM Vehicle Body Repair, Swansea
Bronze: Gerard Brennan, Northern Ireland
Jordan Thomas, TWK Thomas and Sons, Swansea
Martin McGarry, Lindsey Ford, Co. Antrim
Matthew Jones, Midway Motors, Pembrokeshire
Autopaint

Gold: Gary Greer, John Lennons Accident Repair, Country Tyrone
Silver: Marc Reilly, Nigel Whann ARC, County Antrim
Bronze: Patrick Quinn, Fearghas Quinn Specialists Vehicles, Co. Antrim
Highly Commended: Philip Southwood, Arnold Clark Accident Repair, Altrincham
Chris Louca, Cole Coachworks, Hertfordshire
Daniel Coles, Nationwide Crash Repair Centre, Bridgend

Autotech

Gold: Mark Yates, Holdcroft Honda, Stoke on Trent
Silver: Matthew McKeown, Pat Kirk Ltd, Co. Tyrone
Bronze: Turlough Lennon, Cotswolds Subaru, Oxfordshire
Daniel Medlar, Clive Atthowe Tuning, Norwich
Gary Brown, Arnold Clark Honda, Fife
Rhys Morris, Nationwide Accident Repairs, Cardiff