Steering the future of skills in bus and coach engineering
Founded in 2011, IRTE Skills Challenge is an annual competition showcasing the exceptional skills of the engineering stars working in road transport across both the PSV and HGV sectors.
Teams of qualified and apprentice technicians compete in a series of electrical, mechanical and bodywork challenges at S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol to find the best in bus and coach.
In 2025 the competition was opened to technicians working on HGV vehicles for the first time, with the testing taking place at DAF Apprentice Academy in Nottingham.
Whether you're a small, medium, or large operator, we invite you to put forward your best teams to compete in this prestigious, DVSA-backed initiative. Don't miss the chance to be part of an award-winning event that celebrates the very best in the industry and shapes the future of road transport engineering.
Key dates
Deadline for PSV teams submissions (4 May 2026) - Deadline for PSV competitors to submit their entries.
PSV Skills Testing Week (1 - 3 June 2026) - Where competitors from the PSV Sector around the country take on the challenge at S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol.
HGV Skills Testing Week (20 - 21 August 2026) - Where competitors from the HGV Sector around the country take on the challenge at DAF's Apprentice AcademyNottingham.
Skills Awards (September 2026) - Competitors, operators, press and sponsors come together to celebrate the winners.
Want to take part? Fill out the form here.
Skills Challenge news
Closing the Engineering Skills Gap: How SOE is Strengthening the Engineering Talent Pipeline
The UK engineering industry is facing a skills crisis, intensified by factors including an aging workforce and advances in technology. Demand for skilled technicians and engineers significantly outweighs supply, and the need for a highly trained, professionally recognised workforce is clear.
Celebrating the Technicians Who Keep Britain Moving: The Inaugural IRTE HGV Skills Challenge Awards
The Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) recently celebrated the inaugural IRTE HGV Skills Challenge Awards, in partnership with DAF Trucks, to recognise the talent and achievements of the technicians who keep the UK’s Heavy Goods Fleets on the road.
First-ever IRTE HGV Skills Challenge hailed as a success at DAF Apprentice Academy
The Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE), a sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), has celebrated the successful launch of the first-ever HGV Skills Challenge in partnership with DAF Trucks.