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MECHANICS, engineers and parts personnel put their professional prowess, customer care and skills set to the test in a series of competitive endeavours with glory and trophies on the line.
Ebrahim K. Kanoo organised the 16th National Skills Contest this week at the Toyota Plaza in Tubli under the watchful eyes of adjudicators and under the glare of the national press.
The contest’s purpose was to uncover and celebrate the most skilled contestants, all of whom work for E K Kanoo’s service and parts centres in Bahrain, in three categories: service advisors, general technicians and parts. Furthermore, the competition aimed at enhancing their work efficiency and to encourage contestants to compete in a positive environment, develop performance and continue providing a high quality service to customers.
Ebrahim M. Kanoo, director of operations of the company which distributes Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Bahrain, said: “This national contest aims at improving and developing competency and knowledge of the latest diagnostics and repair techniques, motivating the employees to retain their loyalty and enhancing the reliability and reputation of our service centres across Bahrain.”
The winner of the Service Advisor category, which featured three 20-minute sections including the testing of customer care and handling skills, telephone skills and theory knowledge, and vehicle delivery skills, was won by Husain Hani Abdulhusain.
The Bahraini, who has four years’ experience in the field, said: “I’m delighted to have won. I trained really hard and feel like I’ve improved my skills so much, and was lucky I managed my best under pressure.”
Emerging victorious in the General Technician category, which contained three 20-minute sections including on-vehicle customer care and handling, on-vehicle diagnosis and repair of electrical systems, and on-bench measurements, was Manoj C P.
The Indian national, who has worked for Toyota Services for seven years, said: “The tasks were very tricky, and after some initial nerves I managed to perform well and block them out of my mind. I’m very proud to have won and I aim to take these skills with me into the future.”
Taking away the trophy in the Parts Advisor category, which featured three 20-minute segments including attending a customer inquiry and using sales means, receiving a customer telephonic inquiry, and preparing quotations within a specific time limit, was Ali Hassan Marhoon.
The Bahraini, with six years of experience, said: “I am delighted to have won, I love this trophy! I put so many hours of practice in, it’s a proud moment for me and my family. I will now focus on the GCC Championships later this year, and hopefully win again.”
Indeed, the winners in each category will be invited to represent Bahrain in the forthcoming GCC Skills Contest, to be held again in the kingdom later this year.
