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Team selection for World Skills 2013.

Team selection for Autobody repair, Car Painting and Autotech took place at E.M.T.E.C. outside Nottingham on the 5th-8th March. Riverpark Training was highly represented by having all of the competitors in body and paint.

Car Painting was contested between Rebecca Wilson (Bell’s Accident Repair) and Gary Greer (John Lennon’s Accident Repair). Patrick Quinn (Quinn Hearse and Limousine) who had also qualified for the event could not compete due to a recent appendix operation so had to observe from the side lines. They were also pitted against Emelie Dammare the Swedish competitor for world skills 2013. They had to mix match and apply paint to a wing and door, this was also two tone inside and out, they had to paint a bonnet and measure and mark out a design, carry out a spot repair and colour match a three stage plastic part, all within 22 hours. The tension was obvious throughout as both Rebecca and Gary had high intentions of winning and joining the World Skills UK Team.

Rebecca Wilson                             Gary Greer                         Emelie Dammare

In the end and after one and a half days of deliberation the final competitor was announced and Gary Greer will now go forward to World Skills Leipzig 2013.

Autobody Repair was contested differently; as Matthew Quinn (Hurst Accident Repair Centre) was the sole contestant he was pitted against Jonas Friis Anderson of Denmark.

Matthew had to compete to gain enough marks to ensure he could make the grade of previous competitors at this stage in world skills and the Danish competitor was more of a bench mark to allow him to see what international competitions are like. Matthew had to remove and replace a complete chassis leg, replace a sectioned chassis leg, replace a quarter panel, repair a badly damaged door to a metal finish and repair three hail damage marks to a bonnet and like the painters all within 22 hours.

After long deliberation and one and a half days of Judges head scratching Matthew was finally informed that he had gained enough marks to join the World Skills UK Team.

The task ahead for both Gary and Matthew will not be easy, from what we seen of the skill demonstrated from Denmark and Sweden the bench mark for medals at World Skills will be high. Riverpark Training has however committed to support World Skills UK and will provide the facility and trainers every Saturday and any other days we can make available until July to ensure these young apprentices have the best support possible.

Riverpark Training Apprentices Going for Gold in 2013

Gary Greer and Matthew Quinn

ATA and Welding Up-Date

Windscreen ATA took place again on the13th-14th of March and this will now be the last one for this year, this now completes all technicians in Northern Ireland that required this qualification to work in PAS125 approved bodyshops. Senior Panel will be available on the 7th-9th of May and at time of going to press one space is still available.

As Panel ATA is now being requested as part of the CSS in Southern Ireland for Panel Technicians anybody interested in this assessment is welcome to attend and view how this is carried out, all we would ask is that you contact us on 02890342400 to book, as there will be candidates under assessment and limited numbers will have access to the assessment area and task as it is critical not to disrupt proceedings.

BSI 4872 &BSI 1140 is currently available at Riverpark Training, we supply an inspector on site and provide the destructive tests for this requirement also, please be aware that this is now a pre requisite for Senior Panel ATA.

Paint ATA assessments  have also been carried out on the 15th-16th March, further assessment are planned for August as we are aware that some former apprentice NVQ Level 3’s are now running out and full ATA will now be required.

Bodyshop Up-Date Evening

There was a bodyshop owners and bodyshop staff event on the 10th April 2013, Peter Coffey from Bodyshop Solutions will gave a talk on the new riveting and bonding process now being incorporated into vehicle repair, he also demonstrated the new Wielander Schill riveting technology, which attracted a lot of interest. There were also stands from Karkraft, Nexa, Power Tech, Farcela and Concept.

Karkraft nominated a Devilbliss Spray Gun for a free raffle; this was won by Hanover Motors.

Riverpark Training would like to stage further similar events to the Motor Industry, if you have any suggestions our would like the use of our facility please email us at riverparktraining@btconnect.com.

Riverpark Training wins Prestigious I.M.I. Award

On March 12th at the Savoy Hotel in London, Riverpark Training was presented with The Institute of the Motor Industry Skillmiles Award for Training Provider 2013. This prestigious award was presented to Riverpark Training by HRH Prince Michael of Kent for the extensive work carried out helping to progress the work of the IMI and for the training required to achieve 5 out of 6 medals won at the Skills Show in November 2012. Riverpark Training beat off all the colleges and training providers throughout the UK to win this award, this was down to the commitment and dedication of the entire training staff and their ability to do whatever it takes to deliver the best available training for these students wanting to demonstrate their skills on a national and now international stage.

Success at the Northern Ireland Skill Auto Competition

David Stewart from DA Stewart Accident Repair has come 1st in the panel section of the Northern Ireland Skill Auto competition held at Southern Regional College on the 22nd of March. Neil Gibson of Charles Hurst Accident Repair also achieved 3rd place in the Car Painting section.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT INITICITIVE 2013

Riverpark Training has launched a new employer incentive for Bodyshops who currently have apprentices or want to take on new apprentices in 2013. It is our intention to support those who have supported us or those who want to come on board with us as their training provider. Therefore we want to help reduce your cost and help make your business more profitable by employing a young person in 2013/2014. The following is what we will offer to bodyshops using Riverpark Training as their source of apprenticeship training.

1/ Apprentice training on modern methods and modern vehicles
2/ Reduced costs for BSI Welding Tests (no tutor fee normally £150.00 per day)
3/ Monthly reports on each apprentice’s progress
4/ 20% of all ATA training and assessment (2013 only) Panel, Paint and MET
5/ 10% of QAA courses (panel bonding/electric vehicle awareness etc)
6/ Free training on the use of Thatcham Escribe (evenings only)
7/ Free Advice on repair methods where available
8/ Free BSI Welding tests for Level 3 Panel Apprentices
9/ Additional training for Level 3 Refinishers on Air Brush Techniques.
10/ Free computer training for small bodyshops owners.

Ten reasons why Riverpark Training can help you and your business succeed by employing young motivated people who have a keen interest in a career in the Accident Repair Sector.

Together we can move forward