As Kia progresses as a major player in the automotive industry they are keeping their standards high by honouring Kia employees’ skills, be it working directly for Kia or working for a Kia reseller anywhere in the world. To challenge their employees they hold a Skills World Cup bi-annually since 2002. Over 40 countries take part with over 60 chosen contestants. These technicians are put through several tests to find the world’s best Kia technician.
Howards KIA Weston-super-Mare are proud to announce one of their very own master technicians took part in the UK Skills Cup competition, coming 2nd allowing him to attend the world finals and represent the UK in South Korea.
Let us introduce Kiel Tucker, Kia Master Technician for Howards Kia in Weston-super-Mare.
Kiel has worked for Howards Kia for the past 3 years, he has progressed through the company since his first day in 2003 as an apprentice at Peugeot Weston-super-Mare. At the age of 28 Kiel thought it was time to show the skills he has mastered at Howards over the years, and wanted to see how his ability compared to others in his field of work. What a better way to show this then entering the UK KIA Technician Skills competition.
Kiel excelled in the competition bringing a Silver medal back to Weston-Super-Mare and a place in the finals held in South Korea. As Kiel progresses through the competition he is conscious that he is representing not just Howards and Kia but also the UK.
What Kiel had to say: “I’m over the moon with the result of 2nd out of 550 technicians across the UK, I only just lost out on the gold , but the winner had some experience previously attending in previous years. I’m extremely excited and overwhelmed with the support that has been given to me from both my family and Howards. I will be in training for KIA UK in the interim and potentially could be the first winner for the UK. The thought of going to Korea is exciting in one respect but I’m slightly apprehensive of a country I have yet to visit. A highlight for me will be seeing the main Kia production line during my visit.”
Tony Lippe, Franchise General Manager at Howards Kia said: “Howards are extremely proud of Kiel’s achievement, and he has attended frequent training across the past 18 months, he has excelled in his effort and commitment to the Company and the Brand, & we wish him every success in the competition and will be rooting for him to bring home the gold.”
We hope you will all join us in wishing Kiel the very best of luck and hope he brings Gold home to the UK, proving that the UK has some of the best master technicians in the world.