2021
There is no better place to see how the industry is progressing through its apprentices and technicians than at the IRTE Skills Challenge. As the sector is going through significant change, the competition will continue to adapt and give those technicians an environment to showcase their skills and demonstrate just what it takes to keep these vehicles on the road. Our sponsors, supporters and partners have stayed with us despite there being no competition last year, and we have continued to expand and grow as interest from industry remains strong. I would like to express our gratitude to them and our commitment to provide a platform to raise the profile of the sector in the years ahead.
Bruce McGill
Chief Executive Officer, Society of Operations Engineers
The winners of the IRTE Skills Challenge 2021 were announced on 21 October 2021 at the Williams F1 Conference Centre.
Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice
sponsored by altro
Winner: Oscar Jenkins, Trentbarton
Runner up: Connor Carter, First Bus
Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice
sponsored by Imperial Engineering
Winner: Danielle Curtis, First Bus
Runner up: Arnold Duan Cuadros, Go-Ahead London
Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice
sponsored by Allison Transmission
Winner: Jacob Murtagh, Metroline
Runner up: Kasar Mahmood, First Bus
Mechelec
sponsored by FCL
Launched this year, the Mechelec category is open to apprentices at least on year three
of their training.
Winner: David John, First Bus
Outstanding Apprentice Team
partnered by S&B Automotive Academy
Winners: Trentbarton
Kyle Sandford – Mechanical Apprentice
Edward Batchelor – Electrical Apprentice
Oscar Jenkins – Bodywork Apprentice
DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award
Winner: Jacob Murtagh, Metroline
Runner up: Kyle Sandford, Trentbarton
DVSA Inspection Technician Award
Winner: Steve Evans, Go South Coast Morebus
Runner up: Craig Perkins, National Express
Top Scoring Electric Driveline Apprentice
sponsored by BAE Systems
Winner: Danielle Curtis, First Bus
Top Scoring Electric Driveline Technician
sponsored by BAE Systems
Winner: Christopher Bissett, Go-Ahead London
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
sponsored by Alexander Dennis
Winner: Daniel Owen, Arriva
Runner up: Chris Little, National Express
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
sponsored by Knorr-Bremse
Winner: George Wilkins, Brighton and Hove Bus and coach company /Metrobus
Runner up: Christopher Bissett, Go-Ahead London
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
sponsored by Premier Pits
Winner: Craig Perkins, National Express
Runner up: Harry Burns, Trentbarton
Outstanding Qualified Team
Winners: Go South Coast Morebus
Steve Evans – Mechanical Technician
Dan Large – Electrical Technician
Mark Hewish – Bodywork Technician
Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Adrian Jones, Metroline
Skills Challenge Masters
Winner: Christopher Coultas, First Bus
2019
The winners of the IRTE Skills Challenge 2019 were announced on 18 July 2019 at The Slate at University of Warwick, Coventry.
Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice
sponsored by Bridgestone
Winner: Jamie Aitken, Lothian Buses
Runner up: Michelle Wolf, First Bus UK
Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice
sponsored by Ceramex
Winner: Jonathan Wilson, Arriva
Runner up: Christopher Bissett, Go-Ahead London
Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice
sponsored by Shell Lubricants
Winner: Joey Chetcuti, Go-Ahead London
Runner up: Morgan Bond, First Bus UK
Outstanding Apprentice Team
partnered by S&B Automotive Academy
Winners: Jamie Cohen, Jonathan Wilson & Glen Kelly, Arriva
DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award
Winner: Morgan Bond, First Bus UK
Runner up: Ryan Nolan, Trent Barton
DVSA Inspection Technician Award
Winner: Christopher Coultas, First Bus UK
Runner up: Raymond Davies, Williams Coaches
Top Scoring Electric Driveline Apprentice
sponsored by BAE Systems
Winner: Pavan Vara, Tower Transit
Top Scoring Electric Driveline Technician
sponsored by BAE Systems
Winner: Luke Mullally, National Express
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
sponsored by Bridgestone
Winner: Tim Laws-Chapman, First Bus UK
Runner up: Lewis Morley, National Express
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
sponsored by Knorr-Bremse
Winner: Mathew Retter, Metroline
Runner up: Amanda Barker, Arriva Midlands
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
sponsored by Premier Pits
Winner: Steve Hamblin, Reading Buses
Runner up: Brian Whetton, National Express
Outstanding Qualified Team
Winners: Christopher Coultas, Dave Knapp & Tim-Laws Chapman, First Bus UK
Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Lee Sandford, National Express West Midlands
Skills Challenge Masters
Winner: David Leslie, Lothian Buses
2018
The winners of the IRTE Skills Challenge 2018 were announced on 12 July 2018 at Rockingham Motor Speedway, Corby, Northamptonshire.
Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice
sponsored by Alexander Dennis
Winner: Tom Padget, Arriva UK Bus
Runner up: Dean Thomson, Arriva UK Bus
Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice
sponsored by Groeneveld
Winner: Christopher Morgan, Arriva UK Bus
Runner up: Jonathan Wilson, Arriva London
Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice
sponsored by Shell Lubricants
Winner: Ricky Lennon, Go-Ahead London
Runner up: Daniel Biscoe, Metroline
Outstanding Apprentice Team
partnered by S&B Automotive Academy
Winners: Dean Thomson, Christopher Morgan & Kelsie Dugmore, Arriva UK Bus
DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award
Winner: Kelsie Dugmore, Arriva UK Bus
Runner up: Daniel Biscoe, Metroline
DVSA Inspection Technician Award
Winner: Adonis Kleanthous, Arriva London
Runner up: Mitesh Patel, Metroline
Top Scoring Electric Driveline Technician
sponsored by BAE Systems
Winner: David Leslie, Lothian Bus
Runner up: Stephen Wood, First Bus UK
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
sponsored by Bridgestone
Winner: Jamie Gardner, Trent Barton
Runner up: John Buchan, Lothian Bus
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
sponsored by Knorr-Bremse
Winner: Peter Blake, RATP Dev London
Runner up: Neil Owen, Arriva UK Bus
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
sponsored by Allison Transmission
Winner: Mitesh Patel, Metroline
Runner up: Steven Hamblin, Reading Bus
IRTE Outstanding Team Award
Winners: Jamie Gardner, James Woodhouse & Harry Burns, Trent Barton
Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Ray Silcox, Tower Transit Singapore
Skills Challenge Masters
Winner: William Scott, Translink
2017
The winners of the IRTE Skills Challenge 2017 were announced on 13 July 2017 at the Williams F1 Conference Centre, Oxfordshire.
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
sponsored by Bridgestone
Winner: Lee Howe, RATP Dev London
Runner up: Elton Musson, Bournemouth Transport Limited
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
sponsored by Shell Lubricants
Winner: Mark Aldwin, First Bus UK
Runner up: Dan Large, Bournemouth Transport Limited
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
sponsored by Allison Transmission
Winner: Karl McTague, Translink
Runner up: Wayne Ellis, Arriva UK Bus
Electrical & Mechanical Award
sponsored by Knorr-Bremse
Winners: Sebastian Choluj & Jason Herbert, Tower Transit Operations Ltd
Runners up: Wojciech Kasprzak & Karl McTague, Translink
Mechanical & Bodywork Award
sponsored by Groeneveld
Winners: Ian Stapeley & Lee Howe, RATP Dev London
Runners up: Suey Huat Ng & Muhammad Syafidi Chua Bin Irwan, Tower Transit Singapore
DVSA Inspection Technician Award
Winner: Karl McTague, Translink
Runner up: Steve Evans, Bournemouth Transport Limited
DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award
Winner: Eugene Arbuzov, First Bus UK
Runner up: Kelsie Dugmore, Arriva UK Bus
Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice
sponsored by S&B Automotive Academy
Winner: Tom Padget, Arriva UK Bus
Runner up: Shane Keaveney, Arriva UK Bus
Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice
sponsored by BAE Systems
Winner: Ben Shirley, Arriva UK Bus
Runner up: Stephen Wood, First Bus UK
Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice
sponsored by Groeneveld
Winner: Eugene Arbuzov, First Bus UK
Runner up: Kelsie Dugmore, Arriva UK Bus
Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Wayne Ellis, Arriva UK Bus
IRTE Outstanding Team Award
Winners: Elton Musson, Dan Large & Steve Evans, Bournemouth Transport Limited
2016
The winners of the IRTE Skills Challenge 2016 were announced on 14 July 2016 at the Jaguar Experience in Castle Bromwich.
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
sponsored by Bridgestone
Winner: Collin Truter
Runner up: Witold Wolski
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
sponsored by Shell
Winner: Kevin Hunter
Runner up: Tom King
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
sponsored by Allison Transmission
Winner: Chris Wright
Runner up: Stephen Cribbin
Electrical & Mechanical Award
sponsored by Knorr-Bremse
Winners: Neil Owen & Michael Eaves
Runners up: Jack Chaffey & Kevin Hunter
Mechanical & Bodywork Award
sponsored by Groeneveld
Winners: Ricky Walton & Jason Williams
Runners up: Craig Lille & Brad Everette
DVSA Inspection Technician Award
Winner: Stephen Cribbin
Runner up: Liam O'Brien
DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award
Winner: Chris Barry
Runner up: Jamie Wright
Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice
Winner: John McKeen
Runner up: Ryan Cassidy
Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice
Winner: Gavin McManus
Runner up: Thomas Hallett
Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice
Winner: Eugene Arbuzov
Runner up: Jamie Wright
Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Martin Tomkins
IRTE Outstanding Team Award
Winners: Witold Wolski, Tom King & Chris Wright, Go-Ahead London
2015
The winners of the IRTE Skills Challenge 2015 were announced on 16 July 2015 at National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull.
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
sponsored by Bridgestone
Winner: Jason Williams, trentbarton
Runner up: Colin Truter, London United Buses
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
sponsored by Shell
Winner: Luke Wood, Go Ahead London
Runner up: Andrew Howie, FirstGroup
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
sponsored by Allison Transmission
Winner: Ray Silcox, FirstGroup
Runner up: Martin Tomkins, Metroline
Electrical & Mechanical Award
sponsored by Knorr-Bremse
Winners: Pamela Chapman and Tom King, Arriva
Runners up: Chris Brown and Martin Tomkins, Metroline
DVSA Inspection Technician Award
Winner: Ben Gilmour, Go South Coast
Runner up: Gary Richens, London United Buses
DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award
Winner: Evan Wilton, Translink
Runner up: Pamela Chapman, Arriva
Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice
Winner: Michelle Wolf, FirstGroup
Runner up: Matthew Newton, Arriva
Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice
Winner: Tom King, Arriva
Runner up: Ross Lewin, Tower Transit
Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice
Winner: Pamela Chapman, Arriva
Runner up: Evan Wilton, Translink
Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Pamela Chapman, Arriva
IRTE Outstanding Team Award
Winners: Andrew Howie, Tim Laws-Chapman & Ray Silcox, FirstGroup
2014
The IRTE Skills Challenge 2014 awards were attended by guest of honour Sir Moir Lockhead, patron of SOE at Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon on 17 July 2014.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
sponsored by Bridgestone
Winner: Paul Lenihan, Tower Transit
Runner up: Simon Mockford, Go-Ahead
Highly Commended: Gary Henshaw, FirstGroup
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
sponsored by Shell
Winner: Colin Harris, Arriva
Runner up: Kevin Hunter, London United
Highly Commended: George Leach-Walton, London United
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
sponsored by Allison Transmission
Winner: Stephen Cribbin, Abellio
Runner up: Peter Buckle, FirstGroup
Highly Commended: Martin Tomkins, Metroline
Electrical & Mechanical Award
sponsored by Knorr-Bremse
Winners: David O'Hara & Peter Buckle
Runners up: Chris Brown & Martin Tomkins
DVSA Inspection Technician Award
Winner: Adam Geddes, Preston Bus
Runner up: Stephen Cribbin, Abellio
DVSA Inspection Apprentice Award
Winner: Jon Marriage, Metroline
Runner up: Tina Hayden-Williams, FirstGroup
Runner up: Daniel Kitchen, Preston Bus
Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice
Winner: Mark Rawcliffe, Preston Bus
Runner up: Gregory Pinto, Tower Transit
Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice
Winner: Daniel Gardner, Arriva
Runner up: Daniel Robinson, FirstGroup
Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice
Winner: Pamela Chapman, Arriva
Runner up: Tina Hayden-Williams, FirstGroup
The IRTE Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Keval Rayatt, Colin Harris & Tom Hubbard, Arriva
2013
The IRTE Skills Challenge 2013 awards were attended by guest of honour Alex Fiddes, executive director of VOSA, at Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge on 18 July 2013.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
sponsored by Allison Transmission
Winner: William Scott, Translink
Runner up: Glenn Cooke, Arriva UK Bus
Highly Commended: Ian Challoner, Go South Coast
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
sponsored by BAE Systems
Winner: Pete Murphy, FirstGroup
Runner up: Colin Harris, Arriva UK Bus
Highly Commended: Robert Farnell, FirstGroup
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
sponsored by Bridgestone
Winner: Joseph Hotchkiss, FirstGroup
Runner up: Jan Colville, Translink
Highly Commended: Stephen Hall, Arriva UK Bus
Mechanical & Electrical Award
sponsored by Shell
Winners: Ian Challoner & Dave Neal, Go South Coast
Runners up: Peter Buckle & David O'Hara, FirstGroup
Mechanical, Electrical & Bodywork Combined Award
sponsored by Knorr-Bremse
Winners: William Scott, Adam McGrath & Jan Colville, Translink
Runners up: Ian Challoner, Dave Neal & Lee Grady, Go South Coast
Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice
Winner: Daniel Bartlett, FirstGroup
Runner up: Tom Hubbard, Arriva UK Bus
Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice
Winner: Matthew Fleming, Go-Ahead London
Runner up: Sean Ives, Arriva UK Bus
Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice
Winner: James Ward, Arriva UK Bus
Runner up: Chris Sayers, Go-Ahead London
The IRTE Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Glenn Cooke, Colin Harris & Stephen Hall, Arriva UK Bus
2012
The IRTE Skills Challenge 2012 Awards were presented by Alastair Peoples, chief executive of VOSA at the awards ceremony which took place at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon on 25 July 2012.
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
Sponsored by Allison Transmission
Winner: Ian Challoner, Wilts & Dorset Bus Company Salisbury
Highly commended: Glenn Cooke, Arriva
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
Sponsored by Shell Lubricants
Winner: Colin Harris, Arriva
Highly commended: Luke Wood, Go-Ahead, London Central Bus Company Ltd
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
Sponsored by Delphi
Winner: Charlie Devlin, Arriva
Highly commended: Simon Mockford, Go-Ahead, London General Transport Services Ltd
Electrical, Mechanical & Bodywork Combined Award
Sponsored by Knorr-Bremse
Winning team: Ian Challoner, Paul Read & Bill Tinsley, Wilts & Dorset Bus Company Salisbury
Highly commended: Andy Onslow, Daniel Baker & Luke Wood, Go-Ahead London, Central Bus Company Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical Award
Sponsored by Bridgestone
Winning pair: Translink – William Scott & Adam McGrath
Highly commended: Bluestar – Matthew Corps & Ben Crosswell
Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice
Tom Hubbard – Arriva
Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice
Ross Moffatt – Arriva
Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice
Wayne Stanton – Arriva
IRTE Award for Outstanding Achievement
Arriva (Technician team) – Glenn Cooke, Colin Harris, Charlie Devlin
2011
Top Scoring Mechanical Technician
presented by Allison Transmission
Winner: William Scott, Translink
Top Scoring Electrical Technician
presented by Cummins
Winner: Nick Field, Go-Ahead London
Top Scoring Bodywork Technician
presented by Shell FuelSave Diesel
Winner: Gary Jones, Arriva North West & Wales
Electrical, Mechanical & Body Team Award
presented by Knorr-Bremse
Winner: Go Ahead London
Mechanical & Electrical Combined Award
presented by Bridgestone
Winner: Go-Ahead London
Best Collaboration on Teamwork Challenge Award
presented by IRTE
Winner: Translink