Final two await the judges’ verdict

At the end of a day-long series of searching, one-hour diagnostic tests at the Honda Institute in Slough, the field of six ‘Top Technician 2013’ competition finalists was reduced to just two on Friday, April 26th.

Lee Collins of Kwik Fit, Greater Manchester and Steve Smith of Hills Toyota, Woodford Green, Essex, will now have to sweat it out until Friday May 17th, when this year’s winner of the UK’s most prestigious trophy for workshop technicians will be announced at the ‘Top Technician Live’ seminar at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands, Surrey.

“Lee and Steve have locked horns before in the finals but this is the first time either of them has made it through to the ultimate decision,” said the competition’s chief judge, Ian Gillgrass of the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) arm of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). “Surviving to this stage of an intensely demanding competition is a tribute to their diagnostic knowledge, skills and ability to stay on top of constantly evolving vehicle technology. Win or lose, both can proudly count themselves among the crème-de-la-crème of our industry, and an inspiration for every other professional technician, wherever they may be working.”

The ‘Top Technician 2013’ prize fund, which this year tops a record £18,000 – including a tax free cash award of £2,500 – awaits whichever of the two gets the judges’ nod. The runner-up will also be rewarded with a variety of prizes.

“With every one of them at the top of their game, our congratulations must also go to the other finalists – Ainsley McEwan of McEwan's Garage, Derby; Jerry Carroll of Carroll’s Garage, Paisley, Scotland; Richard McVeigh of Kwik Fit, Lichfield, Staffs, and Andrew West of Erme Valley Autos, Ivybridge, Devon, - who impressed the judges with their skill and technical know-how,” said Top Technician’s project manager, Nicola St Clair.

With the champagne on ice and the celebrations still to come, ‘Top Technician’ is over for another year but it’s never too soon to think ahead to 2014 and technicians keen to test themselves against the best of the best can register their intention to enter online at www.toptechnician.co.uk.