GTG Produces Nationally Recognised Individuals

GTG Training has produced two individuals that are currently competing with their skills at a national level. Ewan Minto, still in training at GTG Training, and Mark Brown, who has completed his training, are currently competing to be awarded the title of ‘Bodyshop IMI Apprentice - Young Panel Technician of the Year' at the Bodyshop Thatcham 2010 Craft Awards.

The Bodyshop Awards is an intensely fought competition, in which skilled technicians from the body shop industry compete to prove themselves as the best in their field. The awards are designed to give recognition to the industry's finest, applauding outstanding achievement, and also providing motivation and knowledge that can help these young technicians aspire to even higher standards.

Ewan, 18, and Mark, 21, competed first in Motherwell, at the regional division of the competition, where they both impressed the judges enough to be asked to the national finals in Thatcham. Mark says, "We had to fit the panel work of a car, and make sure our speed and finesse was good enough to catch the judge's eye." The overall assessment took place over two days in Thatcham, with each competitor completing up to six tasks. Ewan says "The tasks were things we would complete in our everyday occupations, in GTG Training or at work. But it was made slightly harder by the pressurised conditions and the need to perform excellently." Ewan, who is halfway through his four-year apprenticeship at GTG Training and works for an Arnold Clark dealership in Inverness, says that for him, "the recognition that comes with the award would be the most meaningful thing."

If either of the boys are awarded the title, they will head to the Worldskills International Competition, which is held in London in 2010. This is where the best of the technicians drawn from national competitions compete against each other, and both boys are extremely excited at the prospect of representing the UK at such a high level. The selections are taken from as many as 52 countries, meaning competition is fierce and all apprentices are tested against demanding international standards. The competition symbolises the pinnacle of excellence in vocational training , and the fact that both boys are only one stage away is a testament in itself to the skill they hold in their industry. 

Mark and Ewan will find out soon whether they will be one of the six finalists heading down to Birmingham to discover whether they have been awarded the title. Four finalists will be picked to go, with only one receiving the accolade.