Reinforcing the importance of technician education and training, Delphi Product & Service Solutions recently sponsored the second annual IRTE Skills Challenge hosted in the United Kingdom by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE), a professional sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE). Through a series of diagnosis and repair tests including electrical, mechanical and body work, coach and bus operators challenged their top technicians against one another to determine the best bus engineers in the U.K. The series of engineering challenges ended at the Excellence Awards ceremony on July 25, 2012, where winners were revealed.

The tests were conducted June 26 – 28, 2012 in Bristol, UK. Prizes were delivered at the Excellence Awards ceremony in the following categories: Top Scoring Mechanical Technician Award, Top Scoring Electrical Technician Award, Top Scoring Bodywork Technician Award, Electrical, Mechanical and Body Combined Award, Mechanical and Electrical Award, Top Scoring Mechanical Apprentice Award, Top Scoring Electrical Apprentice Award, Top Scoring Bodywork Apprentice Award and the IRTE Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Mike Rayne, vice president - diesel, Delphi Product & Service Solutions, presented the Top Scoring Body Technician Award to Charlie Devlin from Arriva North East, and also had a chance to discuss Delphi training with coach, bus operators and technicians.

“We enjoy the spirit of competition the IRTE Skills Challenge provides to bus and coach technicians,” said Rayne. “The IRTE Skills Challenge is an extension of our commitment to provide hands-on, interactive learning forums; supporting engineers through education as they compete in tests throughout the challenge.”

With Delphi’s recently extended training facilities in Warwick, U.K. and Moscow, Russia, and upgrades complete to facilities in France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Turkey, all Delphi training sites have the latest testing and diagnostic equipment for diesel, vehicle electronics, thermal, steering and suspension, and braking.

Delphi also provides a comprehensive “Train the Trainer” program which designates “trainers” at Delphi customer locations to train their staff and customers. By doing this Delphi is empowering its customers and creating a community of trainers for ongoing collaboration. The company has also designed customized training programs to address regional customer needs, car parc and related aftermarket demand.

Delphi also conducts additional hands-on, in-depth training on complex diesel emissions related technologies, such as turbochargers and diesel particulate filters (DPFs) through its training facilities.

Top Scoring Bodywork Technician Charlie Devlin, Arriva North East, at Heritage Motor Centre is presented his award by Mike Rayne, vice president, Diesel, Delphi Product & Service Solutions