With less than three months to go until the IRTE Skills Challenge 2012, event host S&B Automotive Academy has developed online tests for bus and coach technicians and operators.
Based on the IRTE's technician licensing scheme, irtec, the tests provide some basic assessments for bus and coach technicians everywhere to pit themselves against competitors of the IRTE Skills Challenge.
The theoretical and practical elements of the IRTE Skills Challenge 2012 still remain secret, but the aim of these tests is to provide a short introduction to interested parties – as well as potential competitors for the 2013 event.
To take the test, visit the SOE website (www.soe.org.uk), or go to: http://89.185.150.81/hive/course/view.php?id=230 (Username: irtechallenge; password: Password#1).
Entering the competition for the first time this year, the London Borough of Redbridge believes the Skills Challenge will prove the competency of its engineers.
"The technicians at the London Borough of Redbridge have been irtec registered for a number of years now, which has helped us achieve Ford Authorised Repairer status," comments engineering manager Eddie Cross.
"But, as a large portion of our fleet is passenger carrying, we feel this is a good opportunity to challenge our team and promote our skills with others in the industry," he explains.
Sponsored by Allison Transmission, Bridgestone, Delphi, Halfords Trade, Knorr-Bremse and Shell Lubricants, the competition is aimed at demonstrating the importance of the technicians who keep the bus and coach industry moving.
Additional sponsorship comes from MAN, Scania and Arriva, which are providing equipment and vehicles for the tests. The competition, based upon the IRTE's technician licensing scheme irtec, will take place at S&B Automotive Academy, near Bristol, in June.
Other operators expressing an interest in entering their technician teams for the challenge include: Translink, Prospect Coaches, Arriva North West, Ipswich Buses, Bluestar Bus, Wilts & Dorset Bus Company, NETS, London United, Newport Transport, Trent Barton, Brighton & Hove Bus & Coach, the Ministry of Defence, Kent Top Travel and Go- Ahead.
