Aaron Saxton's Journey to the IMI Skills Competition Finals

Aaron Saxton works for FMG Repair Services and is competing in the Automotive Refinishing category of the competition for a second year after just missing out on a medal previously. After originally pursuing a career in policing, Aaron discovered a passion for automotive refinishing through social media and has never looked back.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the automotive industry, and how did you get started?

I was at university studying policing to become a police officer, where I undertook a couple of years as a special constable.

That career path didn't really align with what I wanted from life, so I started exploring my options. I saw my mate on social media painting cars and thought, "you know what, this is a job for me."

I decided to pursue a career in automotive refinishing by looking at apprenticeships, and that's when FMG came up. I had an interview with them, and the rest is history. Now I'm here today.

What skills have you developed through the IMI Skills Competition?

Since last year, I've gained a lot of skills, enough to push me to enter more competitions.

I've learned a lot about time management and how I can apply that to my work at FMG Ilkeston. Not only that, but I've also developed my craftsmanship and the quality of work I produce, making sure I get the best finish possible. I've improved my attention to detail and my paint mixing, making sure I get the statistics and paint mixes right every time.

Those skills have given me the confidence to push myself again and go through the qualifiers this year.

How would you describe your experience in the competition?

Last year, I competed in the qualifiers and came away from the day thinking I hadn't managed to get through to the finals. Then I received notification that I had actually made it through.

I spent the week in Cardiff competing in the finals and, unfortunately, didn't place. That experience has pushed me to come back this year. I won my qualifier this time around, and now I'm aiming for gold in the finals.

Aaron Saxton

I spent the week in Cardiff competing in the finals and, unfortunately, didn't place. That experience has pushed me to come back this year. I won my qualifier this time around, and now I'm aiming for gold in the finals.

How has the competition helped your own development?

The competition has pushed me to become much more independent. I'm now mentoring an apprentice, and I've been able to pass on all the skills I've learned to him.

He's only been here a week, but I've got aspirations for him to do really well.

Both the IMI, WorldSkills UK, and my workplace have pushed me to be the best that I can be. They've opened up so many opportunities for me and given me even more possibilities for the future.

What would you say to someone thinking about entering a skills competition?

I'd say go for it.

Even if you're inexperienced, it's still a massive learning curve. I feel like in this industry there's always something new to learn from other people.

For me, it's also about networking and getting yourself out there. It can be nerve-wracking, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Find out more about the IMI Skills Competition here.