Returning to Bristol in June, a bigger Skills Challenge brought technicians from bus operators Lothian, Go-Ahead London, National Express, Trentbarton, FirstBus, Metroline and newcomer Excel Resourcing, a company supplying technicians for engineering support of specialist issues such as engine reboots.
A new test this year simulated a high-voltage battery repair, using parts suitable for S&B Automotive Academy’s Smiths EV truck. The battery itself was disconnected to ensure personal safety, but the competitors took part in a task that involved cornering off the area, using correct PPE, preparing each pack ready for component swap out, making sure the voltage was present and replacing it with the correct tooling.
Daniel Moir, chief operating officer of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), one of the event organisers, says: “There is a real buzz around this year’s competition as companies continue to recover from the disruption caused by Covid-19. We are going to continue to review the tests going forward to ensure we reflect shifts in the industry, such as the move towards electrical and mechelec we are seeing in some companies.”
One keen captain was Trentbarton engineering and transport manager Wayne Potter. He said: “For me, the golden nugget is that participants could take something away from the challenge and showcase it in my workshop.”
OTHER PERSPECTIVES
The second day of the three-day event featured a visit by Carl Wilson, associate commercial director of sponsor FCL (Filtration Control Ltd). He says: “The Skills Challenge gives us insight into the industry – to which we supply. It raises our profile for customers; it helps us to keep up with the industry, and it’s good to see the development of skills, and technicians gaining experience.”
Another sponsor, Steve Perks, management consultant for Freeway Fleet Systems, says: “The way that the tests are set up and the way that they are managed is really professional.” Freeway provided software to support the DVSA test.
Among the contestants, Jonathan Gardner, lateral contractor at Excel Resourcing, says: “In our work, we carry out a lot of the practical work every day, but you can forget some of the theory side of the work if you are not utilising it regularly, so it’s good to get tested again.”
John Simmons, sales manager of sponsor Imperial Engineering, says: "We sell only OE parts. Although OE people don’t make poor-quality parts, we see, on a daily basis, problems with OE parts in operation: they haven’t been fitted or tested properly, or there are poor diagnostics techniques being used. We believe in apprenticeships.”
Carl Dibble, sales executive of sponsor Knorr-Bremse, says that although it already offers training, the event “helps us get into the fleet, offer teams help, and hopefully they will carry on using our products”.
BOX: SKILLS CHALLENGE '23
Sponsors: FCL (Filtration Control Ltd), Freeway Fleet Systems, Imperial Engineering, Knorr-Bremse (which also helped with testing), Teng Tools (which provided prizes)
Partners: Route One, S&B Automotive Academy, Transport Engineer
Supported by: DVSA