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9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Peter Warman on February 25, 2008, 2:48 pm

Well done lads

9 out of the 20 Top Technicians through to the next round of the Top Technician 2008 are UKAT members

All below are among 20 who scored the highest marks in the on-line test. They will now undertake diagnostic level Automotive Technician (ATA) assessments. Those who achive ATA will receive a further, more comprehensive test. The 12 highest scoring technicians will then be invited to battle it out at the live final, to be held at Workshop 2008 at the NEC Birmingham 15-17 April 2008

Mark Banks - Holmer Green Service Centre, High Wycombe

Graham Bullock - Hillside Garage, Lancs

Jerry Carroll - Carroll's Garage, Paisley

Mark Carter - Tisbury Motors, Wiltshire

Kim Doerr - KD Auto Services, Bedfordshire

Phil Huelin - Goodwins Garage, Jersey

Murdo Macleod - Ace Tuning, Moray

David Wagstaff - D C Mardles Motor Engineer, Exeter

Andrew West - Erme Valley Autos, Devon

Also going through is Dan Wright from Clive Atthowe Tuning (UKAT member and last years winner 2007)

For full details see the Aftermarket Magazine March 2008

Peter

Link: Workshop 2008

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Mark Carter on February 25, 2008, 10:22 pm, in reply to "9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"
Mark Carter

Hi Peter, thanks for the post,just a couple points, the first being that I believe most of us already have our "ATA" accreditations from previous years/outside sources and it will only be a few sitting them this year,secondly we have already had the semi-final paper through and returned it(it had to be returned by the 7th feb). We now wait for notification of the top twelve.
Regards Mark.

P.S All we need now is for the IMI to run a public awareness campaign with regard to the "ATA" scheme and then we might get some of the benefits that the accreditations are meant to give us .
Sorry for the whine I will get off my soapbox now.

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Kim Doerr on February 27, 2008, 9:51 am, in reply to "9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"

Thanks for the post Peter, like Mark says we are all waiting for the call to say "your through to the finals" or not.
I think the ATA thing and the competition have been good for me(free diagnostic tech then master tech this year)and my business.
I would agree with Mark that most of the 20 already have ATA but that shouldn't stop others having a go at the competition.

A TV ad would be the best way to get the ATA message across to the public, only trouble is ATA has now gone in a lot of directions within the motor trade.

Best Regards, Kim Doerr

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by mike howdle on February 27, 2008, 1:07 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"
Michael Howdle

congratulations to all......mike

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Mark Carter on February 29, 2008, 10:16 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"
Mark Carter

Hi Kim,I guess you have recived the same letter as me? there are only 20 of us,how long can it take to mark the papers?
Regards Mark.

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Kim Doerr on March 1, 2008, 3:35 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"

Yes, got the letter, it must be a close thing then! or they are just leaving us to dangle for a while, well till the next months Aftermarket mag.
Regards Kim.

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Mark Carter on March 4, 2008, 9:01 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"
Mark Carter

Good luck.
Regards Mark Carter

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Mark Carter on March 6, 2008, 9:34 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"
Mark Carter

Hi Peter, just thought you might like to know that I got the phone call yesterday to say that I am in the top twelve, and so through to the final.
Regards Mark.

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Kim Doerr on March 6, 2008, 9:46 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"

Well done Mark, Me too and I will be there on Tuesday 15th.
Best Regards, Kim.

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Peter Warman on March 6, 2008, 10:09 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"
Peter Warman - Administrator

Well done Mark and Kim

Mark was one of the Bosch trainers on a Bosch course i attended at Worthing today. Will try and make the 15th at the NEC

Peter

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Phil Huelin on March 7, 2008, 6:25 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"
Phil Huelin

Well done to all that entered. I shall also be joining you at the finals. I'm doing the 17th but will probably pop in the day before aswell. Hope to see some of you there!
Phil

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Clive Atthowe on March 8, 2008, 10:23 am, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"
Clive Atthowe

I have taken a back seat this year and have not entered the competition , however Dan Wright who works with me is through to the top twelve and i would like to wish him luck for the final along with all the other finalists.

Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008

Posted by Mark Carter on March 8, 2008, 2:52 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"

WITHDRAWALS
I have had to withdraw from the competition as of now(reason listed below) I wish the other 11 finalists the best of luck.
Regards Mark Carter.

I have been in the trade for over 20 years and have always believed that you can not fix something if you do not know how it works,with that in mind I have attended a lot of training courses over the years to keep my knowledge up to date.Most of the training has in delivered by Bosch(I now run a BCS)
With that in mind Bosch Denham and I entered into a conversation late last year with regard to me becoming a part time regional trainer for them, I excepted their offer in January this year and have been undertaking some "trainer training" since then(things like: time management,delivery techniques and other skills that make a good trainer)I have been on three "live" training sessions to assist the skilled trainer and learn how it is done.

One of the trainees at the last course has made a formal complaint to crystal communications(the company that runs TOP TECH) about the fact that I am in the final group for this competition and work for Bosch(all be-it part time)
Crystal then phoned Bosch, and Bosch have asked me to step down to avoid any possible misunderstandings or the possibility of brining Bosch or the competition into any form of disrepute.
I have agreed to do this,but would like to point out that the knowledge that I have, has been gained over the last 20 years, and not given to me in a box on my first day as a trainee trainer for Bosch.

Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008

Posted by Peter Warman on March 8, 2008, 3:41 pm, in reply to "Re: 9 UKAT Members Through to Next Round or Top Technician 2008"
Peter Warman - Administrator

Hi Mark

I am sorry to hear that you have had to withdraw from the TOP TECH 2008

I am also very disappointed that Crystal Communications and Bosch have taken the view that in someway you will have some unfair advantage over the other 11 TOP TECHS and can be influenced by a single complaint

I met you on the Bosch course last week and i could see that you are passionate about your work for both Bosch and your day job out in the real world fixing vehicles, and from our conversations in and out of the classroom you came across as a very knowledgeable guy

As you pointed out you have 20 years experience and have taken the time to bring yourself up to this standard, so WHY should you be put under pressure to withdraw from this competition

I would urge Crystal Communications and Bosch to have a change of heart, do they think you are turning up on the 15th with the answers written on your sleeve, it all just seems so petty

Peter
UKAT (not impressed)

Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008

Posted by Michael Whitworth on March 8, 2008, 4:37 pm, in reply to "Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008"
Mike Whitworth - Administrator

Hi Mark,

I am sorry to hear you have had to pull out of this competition.

I would think though that it is more a case of Bosch needing to remain unbiased in their part as judges in the comp,

Just like someone who works for Kellogs is not elligable to enter the competition on the back of the packet even if he is only a part time cleaner.

Sad as it may be I can understand Dehham's desire to remain impartial and avoid any sour grapes and unfair claims of a "FIX".

Just my thoughts.

Mike

Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008

Posted by Peter Warman on March 8, 2008, 5:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008"
Peter Warman - Administrator

Fair point Mike

Just sad that Mark's previous 20 years experience apparently counts for nothing, this competition is about personal ability not the colour of the shirt or logo you wear

Peter

Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008

Posted by Mark Banks on March 8, 2008, 7:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008"

Hi Guys,

Firstly, I feel really gutted for Mark Carter to have got this far in the competition out of approx 1000 initial entrants (so I am told) and then having to withdraw. I met him on a couple of Bosch courses (as a trainee) last year and can vouch for his knowledge. This must have been a tough decision for Bosch as when I saw Jenny the week before last whilst I was attending another course at Denham She was pleased to have 3 technicians from Bosch Car Service Centres (Mark Carter, Dan Wright and Myself) through to the semi finals.

Anyway Congratulations to the other finalist's I will see some of you at the N.E.C.

Regards

Mark Banks

Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008

Posted by Kim Doerr on March 9, 2008, 12:39 am, in reply to "Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008"

Don't know what to say, I too have more years than I like to remember, my knowledge has been gained from lots of sources, it seems a shame Marks last two months involvement with Bosch is going to put him out of the competition.

Best wishes to all,

Kim Doerr

Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008

Posted by Peter Warman on March 9, 2008, 11:56 am, in reply to "Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008"
Peter Warman - Administrator

It will be interesting to see the press release on Wednesday from Crystal Communications, will it be the official 11 finalists or is someone going to get the call Monday morning to make up the numbers

Peter

Reply from Crystal Communications

Posted by Peter Warman on March 10, 2008, 7:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Mark Carter withdraws from TOP TECH 2008"

I have been ask to post this reply to Mike's post on behalf of Crystal Communications

"My name is Nicola St Clair - I am the project manager of the Top Technician competition.

To close this debate, Michael Whitworth’s post hits the nail on the head

Each year, we turn away a number of entrants to Top Technician as they are lecturers or trainers in addition to being working technicians. We have taken a very black and white stance on this as we cannot afford to have anyone competing who has an unfair advantage. Like all other competitions, we also cannot have employees of sponsors taking part, as a major conflict of interest occurs.

It is unfortunate that an experienced and knowledgeable technician such as Mark cannot take part but, in fairness, this applies to any other full or part time trainer, many of which, I am sure, have built their expertise through time served in a workshop, be it independent, franchised or fleet.

One other point, yes we have contacted the technician in 13th position, which we feel in the circumstances is only fair."

Nicola St Clair

Crystal Communications

Re: Reply from Crystal Communications

Posted by Mark Carter on March 10, 2008, 10:24 pm, in reply to "Reply from Crystal Communications"
Mark Carter

The above is a OUT RIGHT LIE, when I got in to the top twenty and Nicola phoned to tell me, I told her that I had just started working for Bosch as a part time trainer and she wished me the best of luck and said "well done".
Nicola from TOP Tech has known for almost a month about my involvement with Bosch and only phoned Bosch about it when somebody phoned their office on friday(she has yet to speak to ME about it at all)Bosch then phoned and I agreed to step down to save any possible misunderstandings.
Regards Mark.

PS, A phone call from Nicola on Friday before she phoned Bosch would have been at least the right starting point!!

Re: Reply from Crystal Communications

Posted by Peter Warman on March 10, 2008, 11:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Reply from Crystal Communications"
Peter Warman - Administrator

Hi Mark

I had a feeling this was not the end of the debate

I would also question if Nicola had a complaint on the Friday about your taking part. I had e-mailed Nicola that Friday morning to ask for the names of the last 12 in advance of the press release, and that i had met you at a Bosch course the day before as you were one of the trainers.......this may have kicked things off. I also said in a second e-mail that she should have known about your status as they are the organizers

You must also question having Bosch Trained technicians who own Bosch Car Service Centres who are going to be judged by Bosch employees, if one of them was to win, would it not be good PR for Bosch?. All the judges should be impartial and have no affiliation with the sponsors of the competition.

Peter

Re: Reply from Crystal Communications

Posted by Mark Banks on March 11, 2008, 12:31 am, in reply to "Re: Reply from Crystal Communications"

Hi Peter,

Of course it would be good PR for Bosch as with Clive last year (in my opinion a very worthy winner). This thread was started by saying that 9 out of the top 20 semi finalist's were UKAT members, that is good PR for your forum's, everybody wants a good PR story.

But where do you stop the affiliation links, along with other finalists I am a member of the IMI and Frank Massey Network both of which are also involved in the judging this year. I also have Snap On tools and use NGK spark plugs, Comma oil and occaionally buy parts from ECP all of whom are sponsors. Does this give me an Advantage?????

These reactions could really ruin the spirit of the competition. From my experience last year the final stage is all down to how well you perform on the day. I think it would take a bad loser to make any claims of a fix!

Mark

Re: Reply from Crystal Communications

Posted by Peter Warman on March 11, 2008, 9:04 am, in reply to "Re: Reply from Crystal Communications"

Hi Mark

Thats my point in the above post, it is impossible to run a competition like this and everyone to be impartial you are all linked in some way with the sponsors, judges etc via training, equipment, soft franchises, parts, even on a personal level and i think this is taken as read and seems to not bother anyone

So if Mark is linked with Bosch and does some training for them part time, why does this make him such an outcast or any different from the other competitors, as you say yourself ---<"From my experience last year the final stage is all down to how well you perform on the day. I think it would take a bad loser to make any claims of a fix!">---- If Mark had won would all the rest cry FIX........i think not

The very fact that Crystal Communications new about Marks status and seemed happy about it, only to get cold feet at the last minute in case of a scandal........this is the type of thing that spreads ill feeling

Peter

Re: Reply from Crystal Communications

Posted by Peter Warman on March 11, 2008, 3:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Reply from Crystal Communications"
Peter Warman - Administrator

I have been asked to post this reply from Crystal Communications

"I was shocked to read Mark’s post, particularly following a completely balanced and reasonable discussion with his wife, who called me yesterday afternoon.

To confirm, I received no complaint about Mark’s involvement. Peter Warman is right in assuming that his email kicked things off. Before this, I had no idea that Mark had become a Bosch trainer. I obviously got straight on the phone to Bosch and we have put things in place to prevent any situation like this happening again. In four successful years of organisation, there has never been a sniff of a problem in the ethics of the competition and we intend that this continues to be the case.

It is a shame that Mark cannot be in the competition with his wealth of experience, but the competition cannot allow trainers or sponsors’ employees to compete against those they train, as is the case with any worthwhile contest, consumer or otherwise.

On a personal note, I am extremely upset and strongly resent the fact that I am being called a liar. I do not tell lies and, if any such comment is repeated, I will take whatever action is necessary to protect my integrity and the reputation of a competition I have managed for four years and feel passionately about."

Nicola St Clair

Project Manager – Top Technician

Re: Reply from Crystal Communications

Posted by Mark Carter on March 11, 2008, 5:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Reply from Crystal Communications"
Mark Carter

Hi Nicola,Glad to here from you, can I answer your post in stages,
1) The phone call from my wife was with regard to the letter received yesterday from you confirming my place in the TOP TWELVE and telling me the name of the hotel that I will be staying at.(not really the letter to receive after being dropped from the comp)

2)Your second paragraph states"I obviously got straight on to Bosch" What was wrong with phoning ME? It is now five days since this blew up and I have yet to receive a phone call from YOU.I would have thought that I should have been your FIRST call., not the one person that you do not bother phoning.

3)I too would not take kindly to being called a liar, which is why I do not use the word lightly,but when I can categorically remember having the conversation with you when you phoned to say that I had got in the top twenty,(we were talking about the master/diagnostic ATA accreditation scheme,I said that I already had my ATA accreditation and had just started working for Bosch as a regional trainer .
Your reply was "well done and good luck with it"
We then went on to talk more about the masters side of ATA and the reasons why you were not running it this year) and now you are saying that you did not know that I had become a trainer for Bosch? What other answer am I to come to?

Regards Mark.

Re: Reply from Crystal Communications

Posted by Mark Carter on March 11, 2008, 10:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Reply from Crystal Communications"
Mark Carter

Hooray, finely a phone call from Nicola at TOP tech, After a fairly long and sometimes heated conversation Crystal Communications have agreed that their communication skills could and should have been better.(different)

They have put systems and procedures in place to insure that a similar thing will not happen to someone else next year.(which must be a good thing)

Apparently I have moved into the "professional trainer" bracket and therefore can not enter "normal" comps. (oh hum, I only hope it is worth it)

I do wish to put this behind me and move on with being a technican,I do not think that Crystal Communications acted with any malaise or intent,and will put it down to a learning curve.(on both sides)

I hereby wish the remaining 11/new 12 finalists the best of luck and may the best person win!!

Regards Mark.

PS who said," it is good to talk".

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