Sixty qualified and apprentice engineers from across the coach and bus industry were honoured this month as the 2025 IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge concluded with an awards lunch in Wolverhampton.
Held at The Grand Station on 16 July, the ceremony capped off what organisers describe as the event’s “most successful edition yet”, which saw a record number of competitors enter.
Now in its 13th year, the Skills Challenge is widely regarded as one of the most important initiatives in the transport engineering calendar. The competition tests technical knowledge and practical ability across a broad range of specialisms including electrical systems, mechanical diagnostics, electric driveline, and DVSA inspection standards.
Former BBC radio presenter David Sheppard hosted this year’s awards, bringing both broadcasting experience and a personal connection: his father has been an IRTE member since 1981, beginning his career as an apprentice. That legacy highlighted this year’s themes of mentorship and continuity.
“The IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge is the cornerstone of our calendar, and one we’ve proudly supported and developed over 13 editions of the competition,” says a spokesperson for event organiser the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE). “The competition brings together the brightest talent in coach and bus engineering, highlighting the importance of skills and personal development in the sector, while also sparking innovation, collaboration, and industry-defining conversations. We are honoured to facilitate such a vital platform.
“Every year we are delighted by the continued industry support for the event, a validation of its continued relevance. The energy continues to grow as more managers nominate rising stars to showcase what they’ve learned in their workshops, benchmarking their skills against their peers. This year saw a record number of competitors, a fantastic achievement for competition entering its teen years.”
The Skills Challenge was this year sponsored by Alexander Dennis, VARTA by Clarios, Imperial Engineering, GTG Training, GYS and C9 Recruitment.
Organisers are already looking to 2026, with a promise of new tests, talent and opportunities. Workshop managers, training providers and sponsors are encouraged to participate.
“The Skills Challenge isn’t just an annual event, it’s a reflection of the sector’s ongoing commitment to training, professionalism, and excellence,” SOE says. “Participation offers real value to operators: for employers, it boosts morale, drives standards, and helps identify top talent. For apprentices, it’s a platform for recognition and development. For the industry, it’s a demonstration of engineering’s impact on safety, sustainability, and service.”
This year’s winners are:
Individual Winners
Philip Margrave Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement: Heath Halle, First Bus
Bodywork Apprentice: Abdikafi Abdi, First Bus
Electrical Apprentice: Stuart Dunlop, Lothian Buses
Electric Driveline Apprentice: Hasan Khan, National Express
Mechanical Apprentice: Jamie McCallum, Lothian Buses
Mechelec Apprentice: Alex Hirst, First Bus
DVSA Inspection Apprentice: Kaden Dacosta, First Bus
DVSA Inspection Technician: David Farnworth, First Bus
Bodywork Technician: Paul Bevan, National Express / Lucketts Travel
Electrical Technician: Jack Davidson, Reading Buses
Electric Driveline Technician: Peter Blake, First Bus
Mechanical Technician: Calum Beltrami, Metroline
Coach Technician: Craig Brown, Greys of Ely
Master Technician: Stephen Price, First Bus
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Team Awards
Outstanding Apprentice Team: Michael McNicol, Jamie McCallum, Stuart Dunlop – Lothian Buses
Outstanding Qualified Team: Nikolajus Kovalenkovas, Peter Blake, Daniel Sobolewski – First Bus
