2026 IMI Skills Competitions nominations close on Friday
Entries for the 2026 IMI Skills Competitions close on 27 March, with the deadline for the online knowledge test 17 April.
The IMI Skills Competitions are open to all learners, whether studying an automotive qualification or completing an apprenticeship within the last 12 months. They provide a national platform for learners, employers and training providers to demonstrate capability at the highest level.
Nominations can be made across three disciplines: Automotive Technology (Light Vehicle), Automotive Repair, and Automotive Refinishing. Meanwhile, competitions now include tasks on EVs and ADAS.
The first round of the IMI Skills Competitions involves an online test of technical knowledge, with the top scorers in each category progressing to the National Qualifiers which take place in May at the Eyebox Training and Conference Centre in Coventry for Automotive Repair and Automotive Refinishing and the Delphi Academy in Leamington Spa for Automotive Technology.
The top six competitors in each discipline at the National Qualifiers will then be invited to attend an IMI training day before the live finals in November in Cardiff.
Emerging talent
Michael Massey, the IMI’s Skills Competitions manager, said: “I am continually impressed by the diverse backgrounds and career journeys of IMI Skills competitors.
“Whether completely new to the motor industry or a returning competitor, learners help showcase the dynamism and emerging talent within the automotive sector, while helping raise standards for employers across this future-focussed profession.”
