The leading operators in the bus and coach sector are preparing their technicians to put their skills to the test and compete at the IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge from 2-5 June at the S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol.
This year is shaping up to be a stellar challenge, with organisers, competitors and sponsors making their final preparations for the event that will take place over four days, rather than the five last year. Challenges on the first three days will be bus-focused with the fourth day dedicated to coaches.
Compared to this stage last year, the number of Skills Challenge entrants is up, with 14 teams and more than 80 competitors having entered so far including new teams, in what will be 13th edition of the key industry event that tests participants on their practical skills and technical knowledge.
Teams include new entrants Reading Buses, The Coach Travel Group, Nottingham City Transport and Cardiff Bus, while National Express and Trent Barton Buses return with two teams, while First Bus, Arriva, Metroline, Go Ahead, Greys of Ely and Lothian Buses are all returning.
With the bus and coach sector facing an ever-growing skills shortage in terms of technicians, this year’s theme will focus on future skills and mentoring, and will highlight the value of SOE membership, the SOE’s new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) platform and its mentoring programme.
This year’s edition is set to feature many of the usual challenges, but plans are in the pipeline to add some new ones this year to test competitors’ skills, although they are yet to be confirmed by the organisers.
Last year, there were 16 awards with categories for individuals (apprentices and technicians), teams and managers, including Bodywork Apprentice, Electric Driveline Apprentice, Outstanding Apprentice Team, Bodywork Technician, Master Technician, Outstanding Qualified Team, the Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement and others.
Sponsors are a key part of the event every year and their support is a cornerstone of the Skills Challenge, as they are heavily involved in the planning and challenges themselves.
Sponsors confirmed for this year include Alexander Dennis, C9 Recruitment, VARTA and Imperial Engineering, which provides critical parts and services to PSV operators, ensuring vehicle reliability, safety, and efficiency.
In early 2025, Imperial Engineering was appointed as the primary UK distributor for BYD electric bus parts, strengthening its position as a key supplier for zero-emission fleet operators.
With the increasing adoption of BYD eBuses, Imperial Engineering’s expanded inventory and technical support services ensure operators have the resources to maintain and optimise their electric bus fleets.
Imperial Engineering sales director John Dwight says: “As a major supplier of parts to the bus and coach industry, Imperial Engineering is proud to continue its support of the IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge, which showcases the crucial importance of developing skills for the future advancement of the sector.”
Another new strand for this year will be activities for competitors to take part in away from the challenges. These are set to include a virtual reality van and, potentially, a virtual spray-painting activity.
Winners will be crowned at a glittering awards ceremony and lunch that will take place in the middle of July. The organisers are looking at three world-class venues and will confirm the location soon.
Box: platinum sponsor: Alexander Dennis
A key sponsor once again, is UK bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis, which is set to provide two buses from its range of low and zero-emission buses for the IRTE Skills Challenge.
Training instructor Geoff Range said it is proud to be a platinum sponsor in this year’s event. “Alexander Dennis recognises the vital importance for engineers of all skill levels to receive up-to-date quality training on new and existing technologies,” he says.
“The IRTE Skills Challenge is an excellent opportunity for engineers to demonstrate their skills and to show they are the best in their chosen discipline.”
Alexander Dennis has some interesting challenges lined up for engineers taking part. “This year we will be creating two challenges – one electrical on the bus and the other a fault on our door training rig. The faults will be challenging and relevant, so best of luck to all the teams and see you at the IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge 2025,” Range says.
BOX: 10 REASONS TO TAKE PART IN THE SKILLS CHALLENGE
1. Gain national recognition: the competition provides a platform for bus and coach engineers and technicians to showcase their skills at a national level, demonstrating their technical capabilities and problem-solving skills to industry leaders.
2. Boost your career development: taking part offers hands-on experience with the latest industry technologies. With the chance to learn from experts and peers alike, participants have the opportunity to develop their technical expertise.
3. Strengthen your professional network: the event brings together industry leaders, employers and fellow engineers, offering networking opportunities that can lead to career growth.
4. Benchmark your skills against industry standards: an opportunity to measure your skills against industry benchmarks. For employers, it helps identify strengths and areas for improvement, shaping future training programmes and enhancing workforce performance.
5. Showcase your commitment to excellence: taking part demonstrates a commitment to high standards in vehicle maintenance and safety.
6. Help address the skills gap: contribute to tackling the skills shortage in the transport industry. Showcasing technical excellence and inspiring others to enter the profession ensures a strong future workforce, keeping the industry innovative and sustainable.
7. Celebrate your achievements: the celebration of engineering excellence recognises the hard work, dedication and technical skills of engineers.
8. Drive your CPD: free Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, helping engineers enhance their qualifications and maintain their professional standing.
9. Gain industry-wide recognition and awards: successful participants are recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony, with winners, finalists and all participants receiving industry-wide acclaim.
10. Be part of an esteemed legacy: participating connects you with past and future generations of skilled engineers, securing your place in the industry’s ongoing success story.
