The Irish National Apprentice / Skills Competition in Automobile Technology.
The National Apprentice Competition has much in common with the World Skills competition:
- It challenges young mechanics, their teachers, trainers and employers to achieve highest standards of competence in commerce, services and industry, and to promote the status of vocational training;
- It promotes contacts and exchange of ideas between Institutes, Training Centers and the Motor Industry nationwide.
- It can be used to help identify a mechanic who could, subject to further training and testing, be selected to represent Ireland at an International World Skills Competition.
Competition Description:
- The Automobile competition is a scaled down version (only in the number of candidates) of the World Skills Competition. It is divided into seven sections: Engine overhaul; Diesel fuel; Brakes /ABS; Electrical; Steering / suspension; Engine diagnostics; Transmission.
- Each section has it's own examiner. The candidates rotate through all the sections working under the constant supervision of each section's examiner.
- The jobs and the marking schemes are all prepared by the examiners, before the competition. Each three hours section would typically have a marking scheme containing over one hundred items to be done correctly.
- All marking is strictly objective. Examiners don't work in isolation and must work in conjunction with a fellow examiner. The marks for each section are sealed as soon as it is completed. These are then totaled after the competition has ended. In the interest of openness and transparency rules for the competition have been laid down and must always be observed.
The Selection Process:
- The candidates, who compete in the final are selected from about 30 nominations who take part in a preliminary stage which is held annually in DIT Bolton Street.
- The preliminary stage consists of: a 10 minute written theory test; three 15minute practical tests which require a high level of technical ability; and a 15 minute technical interview.
- There is an age limit: A candidate must not reach 23 years of age in the year of the Worldsklls competition.
The World Skills Competition in Automobile Technology.
World skills is a worldwide organisation for the promotion of vocational training. It was established some 50 years ago as the "International Vocational Training Organisation" (IVTO) and primarily pursues the following aims:
- To conduct the WorldSkills Competition every odd year;
- To promote the exchange of ideas and experience in vocational training through seminars, meetings and competitions;
- To disseminate information on world class standards of competence;
- To motivate young people to pursue further education and training relevant to their careers;
- To facilitate communication and contacts between vocational training organisations around the world; and to encourage the exchange of young professionals among the Members.
Best Motor Mechanic in the World
Jonathan Strang, the winner of the Nation al Apprentice Competition and Ireland's best motor mechanic, returned from representing Ireland in the1993 Worldskills completion in Switzerland with the Gold Medal. This now gives him the title of Best Motor Mechanic in the World.
He is seen above being presented with his gold medal. He faced a four day competition against the best in the world, where he had to work on seven tasks, each on a different car. Twenty-two countries took part in the automobile competition, making it one of the largest in Worldskills.
Jonathan underwent intensive training in the college under the supervision of staff member Enda Fagan.
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Updated February 2003 by Sean Brennan
