IRTE introduces HGV Skills Challenge

IRTE has introduced the inaugural HGV Skills Challenge, a national competition aimed at spotlighting the UK’s top HGV engineers.

Hosted in partnership with DAF Trucks, the event will take place 30th of September to the 1st of October 2025 at the DAF Apprentice Academy Nottingham, a £3.5 million training facility.

The challenge is said to build on the 13 years of success enjoyed by the PSV Skills Challenge, bringing the competition’s approach to celebrating excellence within the HGV sector for the first time.

This pilot challenge builds on IRTE’s Bus & Coach Skills Challenge, irtec qualifications, and Workshop Accreditation schemes.

Participants will engage in a range of both theorical, and practical assessments designed to test and refine their technical knowledge, problem-solving, and teamwork. Competitors will also gain networking opportunities with their peers and industry experts, alongside the opportunity to work on the latest technology.

Emma Thompson, Executive Director, Society of Operations Engineers, said: “This competition spotlights the incredible skill and precision of HGV engineers. Paired with the advanced DAF facility, the competition will set a new bar for professional standards in the sector.”

Matt Coates, Training & Apprenticeships Manager, DAF Trucks Limited, added: “At DAF Trucks, we believe that technical excellence deserves recognition, not just within our own dealer network, but across the entire HGV industry. Hosting the inaugural IRTE HGV Skills Challenge at our new DAF Apprentice Academy is a proud milestone that reflects our commitment to raising the bar for engineering standards and supporting talent development on a national scale.”

Entries will open on 26 June 2025 with the deadline for submission on 15 September 2025.