Following its announcement in Transport Engineer magazine, the official launch of the IRTE's Skills Challenge took place yesterday afternoon during Euro Bus Expo 2010, at the NEC.
The Skills Challenge competition, to be held at City College in Coventry next year, will see technicians from up to 12 bus and coach operators competing for the coveted award. As well as prizes for the highest scoring electrical, mechanical and bodywork engineer, there are further trophies to highlight the operator with the best team of technicians.
SOE chief executive Nick Jones, formally launching the Skills Challenge at the NEC, commented: "The IRTE Skills Challenge represents the IRTE's key aims – to support, recognise and reward competence. Engineering professionals are an essential part of society and none more so than those technicians working on buses."
And he continued: "Quite simply, the country could not operate without their skills. This competition highlights the entire industry and truly celebrates the people behind the scenes making the travel we take for granted happen."
To take part in the IRTE Skills Challenge, or to find out more about the event, go to www.soe.org.uk/irteskills .
