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Hyundai Motor UK Crowns Liam Hendry As 2024 Skills Olympics Champion
Hyundai Motor UK recently hosted the 2024 UK Skills Olympics to identify the top technician from its network of 870 professionals. The competition is open to all Hyundai Expert and Master Technicians across the UK, with the winner representing the country at the European Skills Olympics in September.
The event began with an initial remote test via an app developed by Hyundai Motor UK's Training Academy. The top 12 technicians were then invited to a two-day event at the High Wycombe training centre. Here, they underwent practical fault-finding diagnostics and assessments on Hyundai's product range.
Liam Hendry from Macklin Motors Hyundai in Dunfermline emerged as the overall champion. He will represent the UK at Hyundai’s European Skills Olympics at Nürburgring in September. "I’m delighted to have won this year’s UK Skills Olympics," said Liam. "It’s a satisfying achievement for me personally particularly when the skill sets of all my fellow competitors was so high."
The UK Skills Olympics is not just about finding the best technician; it also marks 18 months of work by Hyundai Motor UK's Technical Training team. They have developed a curriculum focusing on the latest technology and diagnostic processes to ensure industry-leading training provision.
The High Wycombe-based Training Academy has been operational since 2010 and is owned and staffed by Hyundai Motor UK. Trainers collaborate with UK, European, and global operations to deliver up-to-date technical training and product knowledge. Last year, the academy conducted 2477 face-to-face training days, 521 digital training days, and 2800 e-learning courses via its remote learning app.
Ben Sargeant, Customer Experience Director at Hyundai Motor UK, stated, "The annual UK Skills Olympics has become one of our key events in the training calendar and always sees great interest from our technicians across our network." He added his congratulations to Liam for his outstanding result.
European and Global Competitions
The Hyundai Skills Olympics is an annual national event, with finalists competing biannually at the European Skills Olympics in Germany or the Global Skills Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. In October 2023, Tim Cartwright from Stoneacre Hyundai secured third place at the Global Skills Olympics.
Phil Weston, Technical Training & Development Manager at Hyundai Motor UK, remarked, "The UK Skills Olympics is designed to challenge even the highest skilled Master Technicians." He expressed confidence that Liam would bring greater honour at the European event.
Finalists Recognition
This year's finalists included Jamie Robinson from Endeavour Hyundai Ipswich (second place) and Jacob Godfrey from Brooklyn Hyundai Seaford (third place). Highly commended were David Thomas from Wessex Garages Cardiff, Greg Campbell from Leslies Hyundai Sandown, Jake Taylor from Bristol Street Motors Mansfield, Josh Newport from Read Hyundai Boston, Martin Mulvenna from Daly's Garage Belfast, Richard Andrews from Marshall Hyundai Maidstone, Shane Boden from Motorvogue Hyundai Norwich, Wayne Newton from S G Petch Darlington, and Will Penny from Endeavour Hyundai Colchester.
Hyundai Motor Company was established in 1967 and operates in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees. The company aims to tackle real-world mobility challenges through advanced technologies like robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). It continues efforts towards zero-emission vehicles equipped with hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.
Hyundai Motor Europe HQ was established in 2000 in Offenbach, Germany. It oversees vehicle sales in 47 European countries through 2,279 outlets. In Q3 of 2023, around 16.1% of cars sold were zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles like IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6.
In the UK since 1982, Hyundai has one of the youngest product ranges among manufacturers as of February 2024. The company is a pioneer in zero-emission mobility with models like IONIQ 5 and KONA Electric. Sales grew by 8.3% year-on-year during 2023.
The competition highlights not only individual excellence but also underscores Hyundai's commitment to continuous improvement in technical skills across its network.
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