After a knowledge exam, six practical tasks the top six Light Vehicle Technology apprentices are heading to the IMI Skills Competitions finals in November to find out who will be crowned winner and the best in the sector. Meet the stars of the automotive sector who are vying for the ultimate prize…
Keep an eye on the IMI website and social streams to find out how the IMI Skills Competitions Finals unfold in November and for your chance to appear in the 2025 lineup, sign up for updates https://tide.theimi.org.uk/industry-latest/events/imi-skills-competitions
Name – Adam Culverhouse
Employer- Sytner BMW Leicester
Skill – Light Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
“I’m excited for the next step, taking part in the finals, it’s been great to meet and see techs and apprentices from other brands and places. I’d never done a competition before so at first I was a bit nervous, and had to push myself out of my comfort zone, but once I did I enjoyed it” The biggest challenge in terms of the tasks was working on the engine task, some of the technology was different from what we’re used to at BMW.
Career journey so far:
When I left school, I started a motorsport engineering course at Leicester college but was applying for apprenticeships at the same time. Got the opportunity here quite early on and went from there. I’ve always seen my dad and brother tinkering with cars from early on, so I guess that’s where my interest stems from. Also, since working with our master tech, I’ve been able to get involved with more complex jobs
Future aspirations:
Id like to keep learning and achieve my level 4-5 EV qualifications, working towards Master technician. I’m also keen to work on skills like welding just to widen my experience, really anything interesting I’m happy to learn.
Employer and manager comments:
Adam’s manager David commented “It’s been great to see Adam come back with added confidence and the realisation that he is actually very good at what he does which he maybe didn’t give himself enough credit before. He’s got the right can-do attitude, which is something you can’t buy, and anyone in the business will tell you he’s got the right approach
Advice for new apprentices:
” A positive mindset is key, a famous small green movie character said do or do not, there is no try young apprentice” meaning set realistic goals and achieve them. Adam added “Take every opportunity you can get for training.”
Name – Charlie Taff-Lavill
Employer- Volkscraft
Skill – Light Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
As a returning Bronze medalist from 2022, Charlie knows the competition very well, and despite not making it through to the qualifiers last year he’s back to show how his skills have progressed “I’m doing it to compete with myself really, not everyone else, to demonstrate the skills I have built. I’m really happy to have got through this time. Its also great to be able to share knowledge with the other competitors, and learn from them, which in the end helps me when I come back to work
Career journey so far:
Still really enjoying it here at Volkscraft. Since the last time I competed, I’ve completed my apprenticeship and I help out with the newer apprentices. with the experience I have now, my approach to tasks, especially diagnostics is much better, and process driven which leads to better outcomes
Future aspirations:
I’ve got my EV level 3 qualification so id like to go on to get the level 4, luckily here as a specialist garage we have access to some of the manufacturer training so ill make the most of that as well.
Employer and manager comments:
Matt at Volkscraft said of Charlie “We’re really happy that Charlie’s back in the finals and hopefully goes all the way to show off the skills that he’s developed here with us.
Advice for new apprentices:
Always be willing to learn whether it’s something new or just a better way to do something.
Name – Matthew Ford
Employer- Monmouth MOT Center LTD
Skill – Light Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
The experience so far has been great. I finished second in the Welsh competition, so I’ve had a similar experience, but the national competition at Henry Ford Academy in Daventry was fantastic, it was great meeting other apprentices and techs from all over, including some who I’d competed against before, hearing what they do day to day. I’ve learnt from the challenge, for example about Isolating high voltage systems which I hadn’t done before.
Career journey so far:
My family has a military background from my Grandad, dad and uncle so that was my obvious choice, but after thinking about it decided it wasn’t for me. I’ve always helped out with cars in the family so decided to go down that path. The first garage I worked at didn’t work out, but luckily my college put me in touch with Mike and the rest is history. The best thing about my job is the people I work with, they’re an amazing bunch.
Future aspirations
The first thing will be to get my MOT license to support the business more, then I’ll decide if I want to specialize in diagnostics, Electrics or EV’s maybe.
Employer and manager comments:
Matts manager Mike says “As an independent growing business we recognized the shortage of technicians and are really committed to doing our part. Matt has been an integral part of our relatively young business and has responsibility for one of our main contracts which shows the trust we place in him, which he has always lived up to. We want our apprentices to stay with us, so we invest a lot of time and effort into their well-being.
Advice for new apprentices:
Always put quality over speed, no matter the pressure, and always aim to get things right the first time.
Name – Harry Tully
Employer- Vospers Ford Exeter
Skill – Light Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
My experience of the competition so far has been really good actually, the whole process and everyone involved have been really easygoing and chilled. The tasks were well structured and it was genuinely nice to meet the other apprentices and see how they approach tasks. The biggest challenge was not giving myself enough credit, I can be pessimistic about myself, I guess its my way of avoiding disappointment, but after reaching the final it has definitely boosted my confidence. I found the High voltage task interesting as the layout took some getting used to
Career journey so far:
After school, I Started off doing a Btech extended diploma in engineering instead of A-levels as i wanted to do something practical which wasn’t an option in 6th form. Having always liked cars it made sense to look for something in automotive. I applied to a few different dealerships in the area, and eventually got the chance here.
Employer and manager comments:
Manager Sean said of Harry “From the get-go you could see he was a clever lad, the grades he had on his CV etc, but the other things that stand out about Harry having known him, is just how much ambition and thirst for knowledge he has. He wants to progress, he said it in his first interview and he’s certainly lived up to that aim.
Name – Robert Maskell
Employer- Group 1 Ford Newbury
Skill – Light Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
“The national qualifier at the Henry Ford Academy was awesome, a really cool experience, the range of people from different dealerships and brands was interesting, hearing about their different day-to-days compared to my own” The tasks were quite challenging, particularly the time element, you know some of the jobs you’d get more time to work on so managing that was tough. Overall, the tasks were harder than I expected, but that’s a good thing as I enjoy a challenge”
Career journey so far:
It’s quite a long journey really, I got into the sector as I love cars and working on them, we’ve always had classic cars in the family which usually need a lot of work done to them. I considered aircraft maintenance or joining the police but in the end I did a level 3 motorsport course after leaving school. Then COVID hit, which really made finding good opportunities hard, I worked in McDonald’s for a while and got some experience at a backstreet garage which looking back was useful. I applied to a lot of places and finally got my chance at Ford Newbury, which has been great, good management, some really good mentors and lots of encouragement.
Future aspirations:
I want to progress through to senior and hopefully on to master tech, and also want to get my EV level 4 which will allow me to do repair work on EV batteries and components
Employer and manager comments:
Manager Kyle said of Robert “His work ethic and attention to detail are fantastic, he’s got a really approachable attitude, so is great at both technical and talking to customers. As an apprentice he definitely progressed really quickly, always training and willing to learn which is what we want from all our techs so he is a great role model and example, even to more experienced technicians”
Advice for new apprentices:
When you’re starting out, it’s a two-way street, you get back according to the effort you put in, so if you show you’re interested and willing to learn you will get the rewards and progress.
Name – Karl Wilson
Employer- SG Petch
Skill – Light Vehicle Technology
Competition experience so far:
“So far the competition tasks if I’m honest it has been easier than I expected, just because it’s kind of what you do every day at work and if you approach it that way then it takes away some of the pressure. The online test to get through was actually tougher as you have to be careful with some of the question-wording. Overall, the competition experience has been good so far everything at the qualifiers went smoothly, and I got through so now I’m just focused on the next stage.
Career journey so far:
You know thinking back, I’ve always wanted to be a mechanic, always been into cars, so it was always a goal for me. Finding this apprenticeship was actually quite lucky, it was actually a friend of my mums who knew I wanted to get into the trade who’s son happens to be my current mentor! My manager mike interviewed me and I got given the opportunity. I now work with one of our master techs, which is the best place to be as you see the most interesting mix of jobs which adds to my experience.
Future aspirations:
“We work with 5 different manufacturers, so my main aim is to achieve master tech across all 5 brands. And of course, keep up with any new EV technology and skills that come about in the meantime”
Employer and manager comments:
Carl’s manager Mike has this to say about him “I’ve been in the sector for a long time and I can tell you that Carl is an anomaly, he adapts to everything that’s thrown at him and has far exceeded what we’d expect from your average apprentice. His dedication to training is exceptional and he will always ask for more.
Advice for new apprentices:
Carl – “Taking a step back and some time to think about what you’re doing is better than 5 steps forward in the wrong direction”
Mike – ” Take every training opportunity you can, with Carl, by the time I’ve signed him up for training he’s already found more he wants to do, can’t ask for more than that really.