Press releases

IRTE Skills Challenge 2012

5th Oct 2011

An exciting nationwide skills competition, aimed directly at engineers from the bus and coach industry, was launched today by the IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) at Coach & Bus Live.

The IRTE Skills Challenge 2012 invites operators to enter a team of three technicians to compete in electrical, mechanical and bodywork challenges. There are also awards highlighting overall engineering success. In total, six awards will celebrate and recognise the vital contribution of bus and coach technicians.

Sponsored by Allison Transmission, Bridgestone, Knorr-Bremse and Shell FuelSave Diesel, the competition is going into its second year, following the outstanding success of the inaugural 2011 event.

The first competition witnessed teams from Arriva, First, Go-Ahead, Ipswich Buses and Translink participate, before winners were announced during a prestigious award ceremony at the House of Parliament. This year, the competition promises to return bigger and better, aiming to exceed the expectation of the industry and its crucial employees.

A Professional Sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), IRTE is one of the most respected names in UK transport, supporting the development of engineering professionals in the light and heavy vehicle, and bus and coach sectors.

Gerry Fleming, Engineering Training Manager for one of last year’s big winners, Go-Ahead London, said:
“It was not just a competition between operators. It is an important stepping stone in informing the general public of the high standards we as operators are required to meet, and for us to reinforce the confidence the travelling public put in us and our vehicles, to get them to where they want to be.”

The practical elements of the challenge are based upon the IRTE’s technician licensing scheme, irtec, and will take place at S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol. Finally, winners will be announced during a ceremony in July 2012, where they will be presented with some fantastic prizes generously donated by Halfords Trade.

SOE Chief Executive Nick Jones said:
“Bus and coach technicians play a vital role in society. Their work has been overlooked for too long, and this competition truly celebrates and recognises skills, whilst highlighting their daily achievements to the wider public.”

For more information, please visit www.soe.org.uk/irteskills or contact SOE events manager Emma Thompson on 020 7630 2174 or emma.thompson@soe.org.uk.

EDITORS NOTES

For more information, and to register, visit www.soe.org.uk/irteskills.

For media enquiries, please contact:
David Jones
020 7630 1111
david.jones@soe.org.uk


IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers)
A Professional Sector of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers), IRTE is one of the most respected names in UK transport. Founded in 1944, the IRTE is recognised as an impartial voice of the industry. It encourages high standards of excellence with an emphasis on safety in operation, demonstrated by its research and education programme for members and industry. The IRTE is also a partner in the CV Show, alongside the RHA and SMMT.
IRTE members come from a wide variety of transport-related roles including apprentices and technicians in the light and heavy and bus and coach sectors, workshop managers, fleet engineers, transport managers and company directors.

SOE (Society of Operations Engineers)
SOE is a professional membership organisation that represents around 15,000 individuals and companies in the engineering industry. The SOE has three professional sectors – IRTE, IPlantE and BES (see below for more details).
The Society promotes safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable operations engineering to the benefit of the community at large, through the support of best practice and health and safety initiatives, a commitment to the professional development of its members and by influencing legislation and design.
SOE is a licensed member of the Engineering Council and can register members at all three levels, CEng, IEng and EngTech.
www.soe.org.uk
www.facebook.com/SOEngineers

irtec
irtec (the ‘I’ should always be in lower case) is a renewable voluntary testing and assessment scheme that certifies theoretical and practical skills of PCV, Heavy Goods and light commercial vehicle technicians.
An irtec Licence proves commitment to safety and professional development by technicians and employers alike. irtec licences are awarded at three levels, depending on the candidate’s skill and experience Once an irtec licence is issued, the technician is listed on a national register and bound by a code of conduct. The licence is valid for 5 years, after which the licence holder must undergo reassessment for renewal.
Further details are available from the irtec website at www.soe.org.uk/irtec.