IMI urges bodyshop apprentices to register for Skills Competition

With registrations for the 2024 WorldSkills UK/IMI Skills competitions closing next Thursday (28 March), the Institute of the Motoring Industry is urging bodyshops to sign up their apprentices as soon as possible.

Richard Hutchins, the IMI’s skills competition manager, told Bodyshop Magazine: “I urge repairers not to leave it until the last minute to get all of their talented apprentices registered and I remind the apprentices to complete the entry test as soon as they get the email link and access code.”

This year for the first time, the National Qualifiers for Automotive Body Repair and Automotive Refinishing will be held together at Morelli Group’s Eyebox Training & Conference Centre in Coventry from 15-17 May.

Hutchins continued: “We are really excited to be running the Body Repair and Refinishing competitions together at Eyebox, showcasing the automotive industry’s body and paint sector like a mini skills show.”

The 2024 competition cycle is being held in five stages:

• Stage 1 (26 February to 28 March)

Nominate and register your top talented apprentices. Ensure that your apprentice completes their part of the registration including the T&C’s. The entry test instructions, link and unique access code will then be emailed to the apprentice and they will have a week to complete the entry test.

• Stage 2 (15 May to 7 June)

The top scorers form the entry stage will make it through to the National Qualifiers (the practical competition rounds). Your bodyshop and your apprentice will be informed which National Qualifier they will need to attend.

• Stage 3 (11 July)

WorldSkills UK and IMI Skills Competitions will announce the 2024 finalists from each skill area that have made it through to the 2024 National Finals. An individual training plan will be shared with your apprentice based on their National Qualifier competition scores so they will know what they need to work on. An employer visit will be arranged to talk through the next stage and get your apprentice prepared.

• Stage 4 ( October/November)

All of the finalists will be invited to attend a Master Class Training Day for their specific skills area. These Master Classes will be delivered by the sponsors – for body repair it will be Car-O-Liner UK and for refinishing it will be Glasurit – to ensure that the apprentices are fully prepared and equipped for the National Finals.

•  Final stage (18-22 November)

Attend the UK  National Finals and compete over three days (finals venue TBC), taking part in six live tasks, to battle for the gold medal.

To register for one of the collision repair categories and to read competition digital resources, including competition rules, what to expect, top tips and more, go to the IMI Skills Competition web page or visit WorldSkills UK National Competitions.