In its 13th year of sponsorship, Imperial was proud to support the 2026 IRTE Skills Challenge, a flagship event organised by the Society of Operations Engineers. This prestigious competition continues to play a vital role in recognising and nurturing the technical talent that keeps the UK’s transport sector moving.
Led by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE), part of SOE, the competition brought together some of the most skilled technicians, engineers, and apprentices from across the bus, coach, and commercial vehicle industries. Participants were tested on their technical knowledge, diagnostic abilities, and practical skills. Competitors undertook challenges covering a range of disciplines, on both EV and diesel vehicles, diagnosing electrical faults, brake systems, vehicle inspection procedures, and other essential maintenance and engineering competencies.
For Imperial, supporting this initiative aligns perfectly with its commitment to engineering excellence and workforce development. By investing in events like the Skills Challenge, the company is helping to inspire the next generation of engineers while reinforcing the importance of continuous professional development. The bus and coach sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven largely by the shift toward electric vehicles. This evolution demands new skills, updated training, and a workforce that can adapt to increasingly sophisticated technologies.
John Simmons, Technical Sales Manager at Imperial (pictured above centre), who set some of the braking tests and also handed out some of the prizes at the awards ceremony, emphasised the importance of this investment:
“Supporting the IRTE Skills Challenge makes perfect sense because it helps ensure engineers are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge. Investing in skills development today is critical to maintaining safety, efficiency, and innovation across the sector tomorrow. It is more than a competition because it underpins the importance of training and professionalism, that reflects the transition to full electrification in the coming years. We need the technicians and engineers to support these vehicles, so the importance of this initiative to our industry’s future cannot be overstated.”
Imperial’s ongoing sponsorship of the IRTE Skills Challenge is not just about supporting a competition, it’s about contributing to a stronger, more capable engineering community. By working alongside organisations like the Society of Operations Engineers, Imperial is proud to play a role in shaping the future of the industry, ensuring that talent is recognised, developed, and celebrated.
Imperial’s Sales Director John Dwight said they were proud to continue their long-standing support of the IRTE Skills Challenge which has “shone a light on the crucial importance of developing technical skills to ensure the successful evolution of our sector.”
To view the gallery from this year’s awards held at the National Motor Museum, click HERE
