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Skill Auto Competition

Riverpark Training and Development Ltd hosted the first Skill Auto Regional Heat in Northern Ireland for Young Painter and Young Panel Beater of the Year 2010 on the 14th May. It was a great honour to host this event commented Colin Hagan Managing Director of Riverpark Training. After attending every final since 2000 and having some 22 finalists and 2 World Skills Medallists over the last 10 years it is a proud day to actually host one of the now six regional heats being held throughout the UK.

In total 9 competitors took part from Riverpark Training, North West Regional College and Transport Training Services. The event was overseen by Bill Jones the UK World Skills Judge for Vehicle Refinishing. Judges were Andrew Blair (World Skills Gold 2005), Jonathan Lloyd (World Skills Bronze 2007), Frank McNally (Transport Training Services), David Frizell (Riverpark Training) and Colin Hagan (Riverpark Training), the main sponsor of the event was the Morelli Group who supplied consumable materials and PPE for the day, Karkraft NI also supplied the NEXA paint products and UK Skills supplied the panels.

Bill Jones provided each Judge with the UK marking criteria that he had developed, this was to ensure continuity throughout all of the 6 UK competitions and ensure fairness throughout. Judges were faced with yes and no marking criteria which left no grey areas and feedback after the event was based on this.
In the Panel Section 3 competitors, Martin McConnellouge (P.J.D Autobody Repair), Alan Nesbitt(Kerr Bros Omagh) and Matthew Quinn (Charles Hurst ARC) took part in a gruelling 7 hours over 5 practical tasks which tested these young panel technicians to the limit. All panel competitors were well matched and in most tasks Martin McConnellouge and Matthew Quinn were neck and neck, in the end Matthew gained the highest mark of the day and after it had been judged against the other 6 regional events marks, Matthew was successful in gaining a place in the finals in Thatcham on the 16th-17th June.

The Young Painter of the Year section was contested by Daniel McDowell (Wrights ARC Mallusk), Gary Greer (Lennon’s ARC Cookstown), Patrick Quinn (Quinn Hearse and Limousine), Boyd Shanks (Wrights ARC Carryduff), Daniel Matheson (Bryansford Coachworks) and Neil McCall (Lindsay Cars ARC Lisburn). All contestants were given 5 practical tasks which again tested them to the limit. Daniel Matheson who won the UK Young Painter of the Year 2009 was under intense pressure from the standard of the other competitors and looked at one stage that he was to lose his crown. He came back at the end but came second to Gary Greer who on the day put in a good performance. A special mention must go to Patrick Quinn who missed out on a finalist place by 2 marks.

So we now have 3 competitors from Northern Ireland in the UK Finals, Matthew Quinn, Daniel Matheson and Gary Greer. All these competitors trained at Riverpark Training and it is company policy to support their training needs to progress them to the next level, they will now have to give up the next 2 Saturdays for dedicated training to ensure they are ready to compete not only in the UK Finals but at a possible World Skills Level in 2011 in London.

On behalf of Riverpark training, Transport Training Services and North West Regional College we would like to thank the Employers who have given unconditional support to their young apprentices throughout this and previous skills tests.