Jaguar Land Rover Crowns Best UK Technicians

GAYDON, UNITED KINGDOM – Aug 12, 2010: Jaguar Land Rover has rewarded the top technicians from each brand with the titles of Technicians of the Year and a surprise holiday following the grand final of the Jaguar Land Rover Academy's annual skills competition.

Held on Friday, 6 August, the final round saw Andy Young from Land Rover dealership, Caffyns, Lewes and Stephen Speed from Jaguar Stratstone, Cardiff win the coveted titles of Technicians of the Year and a holiday to Turkey and South Africa respectively.

The competition is run by the Jaguar Land Rover Academy, which is dedicated to ensuring its retailer network has the knowledge, skills and desire to deliver the first class service that today's customers demand.

The Academy trains Jaguar Land Rover retailers' technicians on all vehicles within the brands and puts them through the IMI approved, two-year, ATA programme (Automotive Technician Accreditation) with the aim of inspiring all students to achieve Level 4 Master Technician status.

A record 302 technicians from the UK took part in the competition which is only open to those who have attained Level 4. Of these, 123 were from Jaguar and 179 were from Land Rover.

Two initial written test rounds followed by a tie-break round saw the numbers narrowed to six from each brand for the final.

The grand final was held at the Academy's purpose built HQ in Warwick. During the final the technicians took part in various tasks and tests which were marked and the winners calculated at the end of the day.

Presenting the winners plaques Bill Fennell, Jaguar Land Rover Customer Service Director, said: "This year's competition has been tougher than ever to judge thanks to the outstanding high level of skills displayed by all the technicians. The Academy is focussed on providing the best and most consistent level of technical service to Jaguar and Land Rover owners, and today's contest has borne that out."