Following National Qualifier events in May and June, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) today names the 24 finalists for the IMI 2025 Skills Competitions.
With a record-breaking 600-plus nominations, two dozen of the most talented students and apprentices, each put forward by their tutor or employer in one of four key specialisms – Body Repair, Refinishing, Light Vehicle Technology, and Heavy Vehicle Technology – have earned their place in the finals.
IMI 2025 Skills Competitions
They will now showcase their exceptional skills and compete to be recognised as being among the very best up-and-coming talent in their field.
Sarah Whiteside Jones, director of Membership Engagement and Public Affairs at the IMI said:
“This year’s IMI Skills Competitions saw record levels of entries, with exceptionally high standards of scoring in the National Qualifiers.
“With a clear mission to help the automotive sector address the significant skills gaps it faces, we are thrilled that employers, further education colleges and training centres across the UK took the time out of their busy schedules to nominate their talented and dedicated apprentices. The competitors who progressed through to the National Qualifiers are great ambassadors for the career opportunities that exist right across our dynamic sector.”
The finalists represent all four UK nations of the UK, highlighting the exceptional talent emerging across the sector. The competition standards were particularly impressive this year, with average scores in Light Vehicle the highest since 2020, and in Heavy Vehicle and Body Repair the highest since 2022.
The winners of each specialism will be crowned following the live finals at Cardiff and Vale College from 25-28 November 2025.
The journey may not stop there. Eligible finalists could go on to represent the UK on the global stage at next year’s WorldSkills International, joining five 2024 IMI Skills Competitions alumni already named as Squad UK members. To be eligible, they must achieve the required score and be aged 22 or younger in the year of the international finals.
The IMI Skills finalists
AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHING
| Name | Training provider | Employer |
| Aaron Saxton | Remit Training | FMG Repair Services |
| Dafydd Jones | NPTC Group of Colleges | Sinclair Group |
| Jack Harvison | Southern Regional College – Newry Campus | The Body Stop NI |
| Keeley Tait | Auto Assess | Steer Automotive Group |
| Logan Sweet | Cardiff and Vale College | Aston Martin |
| Lucy Bennett | Nottingham College | Sytner Mercedes Group Ltd |
AUTOMOTIVE BODY REPAIR
| Name | Training provider | Employer |
| Belal Al Haka | Cardiff and Vale College | FMG RS |
| Chloe Chan | Skillnet Ltd | Poole Accident Repair |
| Harley Chambers | Thatcham Research | Steer Automotive Group |
| Joseph Cullen | Southern Regional College – Newry Campus | Wright’s Accident Repair Centre |
| Owen Thomas | Cardiff and Vale College | |
| Ryan Davies | Riverpark Training | Nigel Whann Accident Repair Centre |
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY (LIGHT VEHICLE)
| Name | Training provider | Employer |
| Austin Watson-Jones | Exeter College | MBS Ltd |
| Cade Turnbull | Stoneacre Academy | |
| Cameron Hill | Skillnet Ltd | Kings Road Garage |
| Charlie White | Lincoln College | JM Automotive |
| Daniel Morris | Stellantis | Northgate Vehicle Hire |
| Marc Cockerton | Volkswagen National Learning Centre | Citygate Automotive Ltd |
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY (HEAVY VEHICLE)
| Name | Training provider | Employer |
| Austin Peacock | Cardiff and Vale College | Cardiff Bus |
| Kieran Mitchell | Fife College | Fife Council |
| Lewis Somerscale | Fife College | Fife Council |
| Oliver Thomas | Cardiff and Vale College | Celtic Vacuum |
| Tristan Hunter | Remit | MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd |
| Will Foulger | DAF Apprentice Academy (Skillnet Ltd) | Foulger’s CVS |
IMI 2025 Skills Competitions is sponsored by Milwaukee Tools.
