Celebrating excellence and achievement - IMI Awards outstanding achievers are a credit to the industry
From almost 50,000 students registered on qualifications awarded by IMI Awards, the qualifications subsidiary of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), 10 were short-listed as finalists for the 2008 IMI Awards Outstanding Achievers, held at the IMI in the presence of its Patron, HRH Prince Michael of Kent.
Five IMI Awards approved centres, selected from its network of 400, were also in the running for the Approved Centre of the Year Award, complementing the four individual categories, all of which were sponsored by Lloyds TSB Autolease. Each of the winners received a glass trophy, framed certificate and a cheque for £200 from HRH Prince Michael, who applauded the efforts of all winners and finalists in his address.
In the most hotly-contested of the four individual award categories, 18 year-old James Garrett, a technician at Bentley Leicester, scooped the title of Outstanding Technical Student (Light Vehicle). James stood out amongst the candidates for his outstanding technical ability by developing a new methodology for the replacement of a full wiring loom on two of the world's most exclusive and complex cars, the Bentley Continental GT and the Silver Spur.
Andrew Zelaya, 24, a technician at Harley Davidson Edinburgh, received the accolade of Outstanding Student (Motorcycle), having shown excellent aptitude in this highly skilled discipline. He is not only technically gifted but showed great maturity by helping the other students and generally raising the standard within his whole year.
The winner of the Outstanding Management Student category was Paula Prior. Already recognised as a troubleshooter and problem solver, Paula has achieved outstanding results at her employer MK Seat, having created a customer led culture that the whole dealership has benefited from.
Hosting the awards, Alan Mackrill, executive director of IMI Awards, said: "Again this year, we received a high number of nominations, which is indicative of the value they have within the automotive training arena. Each of the winners and finalists are a great credit to the retail motor industry."
David Kershaw, Operations Director, Lloyds TSB Autolease, who was one of the judges, said:
"As one of the leading fleet management specialists, Lloyds TSB Autolease recognises that the way to provide excellent customer service is to develop the skills of individuals. We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the IMI Awards Outstanding Achievers and fully support an event that celebrates and promotes the achievements of young people in the motor industry."
A further celebration of achievement has been the announcement that Sarah Sillars, Chief Executive of the IMI was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. She was honoured in recognition of her contribution to skills training and the automotive retail industry. On receiving the news, Sarah Sillars said:
"The team at the IMI is passionate about providing recognition, status and employability for those in the automotive industry. I am absolutely delighted to receive this honour. The automotive industry is often portrayed in a negative light and so receiving this recognition is great news for all those who continue to work hard in changing that perception.
I would like to thank the whole team at the IMI for helping to drive that agenda forward."
Ends
Notes to Editors
A full list of winners of the IMI Awards Outstanding Achievers 2008 are:
Outstanding Technical Student (Light Vehicle)
James Garrett from Bentley Leicester
Outstanding Technical Student (Motorcycle)
Andrew Zelaya from Harley Davidson Edinburgh
Outstanding Management Student
Paula Prior from MK Seat
Young Student of the Year
Joshua Custy from Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl
IMI Approved Centre of the Year
North Devon College
IMI Approved Centre of the Year - Highly Commended
PAR Training and Development
Special Commendation
James Bailey from Lookers Jaguar Ipswich
IMI Awards Ltd is the subsidiary awarding body of The Institute of the Motor Industry. IMI Awards Ltd offers a comprehensive portfolio of national qualifications, both technical and non-technical and are the only awarding body which is totally focused on the skills requirements of the automotive sector.
Photographs from the event are available on request.