Apprentices get into top gear for automotive competition

The 22 year old will finish his Level 3 apprenticeship in December after two and a half years at the academy.

As one of the UK’s leading training providers, Babcock works in close partnership with companies to ensure apprentices are trained to the highest level. After being crowned 2017 apprentice, Toby said: “The quality of the training we’ve all had at the academy has been amazing and the competition has been a fantastic opportunity for all of us to show off just how much we’ve learned at the academy before we go out into the wider world.”

Babcock trains over 1,000 automotive apprentices but those taking part in the competition enter after being nominated based on ongoing performance. During the course of the day, apprentices were challenged with a range of practical tasks according to their chosen specialist area. The winners’ table, with winners’ dealerships is listed below.

Babcock Technical Trainers and Vocational Learning Advisors were responsible for judging apprentices on the day with winners of each of the above categories going into the final round before the overall winner was announced.

All the winners were presented with a certificate and a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. Overall winner, Toby, also received a bottle of champagne, a year’s free membership to the Institute of Motor Industry and an inscription on the Babcock Automotive Apprentice of the Year plaque.

Gordon Reynolds, Director of Automotive Training at Babcock, said: “This event has really gone from strength to strength and we’re delighted that more apprentices are taking part each year. It’s been a chance for them to show off what they’ve learned and hopefully enjoy themselves too.

“The Technical Training Academy isn’t just a place where apprentices train to get qualified, we’ve created an environment where they can develop and thrive as individuals; learn to collaborate with our other customer brands and experience the real life skills they’ll need when they move on from training.”