Registration open for IRTE Skills Challenge 2015

Event takes place from June 1-5, with winners announced at an awards ceremony in July

Bus and coach operators have been invited to take part in the IRTE Skills Challenge 2015, which takes place on June 1-5 at S&B Academy in Bristol.

The annual event champions the vital work done by bus and coach technicians throughout the UK and Ireland, and invites operators large and small to test their technicians against each other.

During the event, technicians demonstrate their expertise in a series of mechanical, electrical and bodywork tasks, with a focus on safety and reliability.

The IRTE Skills Challenge 2014 saw over 60 technicians and apprentices from operators including Arriva, Tower Transit, First Group and Metroline compete. Last year also marked the DVSA’s association with the Challenge for the first time, with the organisation sponsoring awards for Top Scoring DVSA Inspection Apprentice and Top Scoring DVSA Inspection Technician.

Alastair Peoples, Chief Executive of DVSA, said: “We’re proud to be supporting the IRTE Skills Challenge to identify and reward the industry’s best coach and bus technicians and highlight the importance of vehicle safety and reliability.”

Sponsored by Allison Transmission, Bridgestone, Knorr-Bremse and Shell, technicians who take part in the IRTE Skills Challenge will have the chance to measure their skills against those from other operators, gain recognition for their expertise, and win prizes from Teng Tools, as well as a year’s free membership of IRTE for the top team.

Bus and coach operators are invited to enter teams of three technicians/apprentices by March 27, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in July.

Entry to the competition is free and operators should complete the registration form at www.soe.org.uk/irteskills