Two Cork-based ŠKODA employees have been selected to represent Ireland as part of Team ŠKODA Ireland at the international finals of the ŠKODA Service Challenge in June 2016.

Team ŠKODA Ireland will compete against 35 countries in the International Finals, which take place in the Czech Republic in 2016.

Now in its sixth year, the ŠKODA Service Challenge has become a prestigious benchmark for measuring the qualities of the best employees in the global ŠKODA service network and includes four different categories: Parts & Accessory Sales Person of the Year; Best Overall Service Advisor; Best Overall Service Technician; and Best Overall Diagnostic Technician.

Martin Healy works as Service Manager in Noel Deasy Cars Ltd and has been crowned the winner of the Service Advisor category at the national leg of the ŠKODA Service Challenge. Martin has been with Noel Deasy Cars since March 2003 and studied automobile engineering in CIT where he completed a diploma with Merit. Martin brings a wealth of knowledge to the dealership having previously worked as a service advisor and body shop administrator with a Toyota dealership and as a body shop estimator with an Opel dealership. 

While, Jonathan Leonard is a Service Technician from E. Tarrant & Sons in Banteer, Co. Cork and has claimed the title of Service Technician champion for the second year in a row. Jonathan has over nine years’ experience in the motoring industry and has previously claimed a SKODA award for distinguished performance in the national skills competition. During his time at E. Tarrant & Sons, he completed his apprenticeship with a merit, and received a phase 6 best motor mechanic apprentice from CIT in 2009.

Joining Martin and Jonathan on Team ŠKODA Ireland in the Czech Republic in June will be Diagnostic Technician Kieran McGinty, from DMG Motors in Donegal; and Parts Advisor Joe Noone, from Monaghan’s and Sons in Galway.

Commenting on the awards David Rave, Head of Aftersales ŠKODA Ireland said: “We are delighted to announce that Martin is the category winner for the Service Advisor category and Jonathan for the Service Technician category in the ŠKODA service challenge for 2016. Team ŠKODA Ireland put in a very impressive performance in 2015, coming in at 4th position overall, so we are hopeful that we can claim the number one spot in June 2016”.