The Institute of the Motor Business (IMI) has introduced the 24 IMI Abilities Competitions finalists that may compete on the stay nationwide finals in November.

The 24 finalists had been determined following the conclusion of the Nationwide Qualifier occasions that happened throughout the UK throughout Could and June.

Nominated by their tutor or employer, high scoring apprentices took half within the Nationwide Qualifiers the place knowledgeable judges chosen college students and apprentices from 4 key specialisms – Physique Restore, Refinishing, Mild Car Expertise, and Heavy Car Expertise.

The stay nationwide finals might be held in November at 10 schools and coaching suppliers throughout Better Manchester.

The winners might be introduced at a medal ceremony at Bridgewater Corridor in Manchester with the possibility to go on to symbolize Workforce UK in EuroSkills 2025 at Herning in Denmark and WorldSkills Worldwide 2026 in Shanghai, China.

Richard Hutchins, IMI Abilities Competitions Supervisor, mentioned: “The six finalists from every stream impressed the judges with their degree of talent, dedication and focus.

“And most of the 2023 finalists face extra studying and work challenges, dwelling with dyslexia, autism and dyscalculia, making their success much more spectacular.

“Automotive is commonly believed to be unsuitable for many who are neurodiverse or have disabilities, however these inspirational finalists show in any other case.

“They’re succeeding to the best degree in our more and more inclusive and wealthy sector.”

The IMI mentioned automotive is going through a 20-year excessive of 26,000 vacancies, and the IMI’s new Perceptions Marketing campaign – Issues Are Shifting – goals to discredit outdated misperceptions which can be on the coronary heart of the recruitment challenges.

Hutchins mentioned: “As a sector, we urgently want to return collectively to vary the long-held damaging perceptions and encourage extra folks to think about automotive careers.

“We have to fill round 112,000 roles within the subsequent decade, spanning greater than 200 occupations and these awards spotlight the huge array of alternatives out there, in addition to the inspiring trainees and apprentices that may assist to take automotive ahead and guarantee it evolves to be richer, extra numerous, to greatest serve our prospects.”

The 2023 finalists