Technical mastery and skills development are vital to the success and sustainability of South Africa’s repair and servicing sector. As vehicles become more advanced and customer demands more exacting, the role of highly trained technicians has never been more important.
Recognising this, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa hosted its annual Service Engineering and Operations (SE&O) Skills Contest, a platform celebrating the expertise, precision and commitment of the country’s finest Ford technicians.
Nine technicians from dealerships across South Africa competed in a series of hands-on challenges designed to assess their diagnostic accuracy, problem-solving and technical efficiency. Each test station featured engineered vehicle faults, pushing participants to demonstrate logical fault isolation and their mastery of diagnostic tools, all core to Ford’s standard of service excellence.
PK Umashankar, Director of Customer Service Operations for Ford’s International Markets Group, highlighted the global reach and purpose of such contests. “I’m excited to be here in South Africa for one of its top technical skills contests.
IMG runs similar events across all our markets, and the winner from South Africa will fly to Bangkok to compete against the best from the IMG region. The quality of the contestants here is something we can all be proud of, and I look forward to hosting the South African winner on the international stage.”
Kevin Heunis, Ford South Africa’s Director of Service Engineering and Operations, praised the value of skilled professionals within the network. “Top technicians are like gold, and in South Africa there are real opportunities to fast-track careers and be recognised for expertise.
“Our dealerships offer world-class environments where talent is valued. By investing in their development, we ensure these professionals thrive and continue to drive growth and innovation right here at home. Technicians are the backbone of every dealership. Their expertise directly impacts customer satisfaction, retention and trust.”
The contest concluded with recognition for all finalists. Brendon Jordaan from Eastern Cape Motors North End was crowned South Africa’s Top Technician and will represent Ford South Africa at the IMG Skills Contest in Thailand. Marius Blanche from BB Ford Polokwane and Michael Stewien from BB Ford Menlyn finished second and third respectively.
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the collision repair industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the African automotive sector forward.
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