Aussie takes silver at Hyundai tech skills comp

HYUNDAI’S World Skill Olympic event, held this year in South Korea for technicians and service advisors, has seen a silver medal won by Freddy Lee from Berwick Hyundai, competing in the EV section.

It is the third time since 1995 that an Australian has a podium for the event and Australia is the only country to achieve this milestone.

The competition was intense with 53 countries and 150 competitors across both passenger and commercial vehicles.

The event has returned after a four-year break after being postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the competition broadened to see a dedicated section to electric vehicles (EV) together with an internal-combustion engine (ICE) competition.

Australia’s representatives were Freddy Lee of Berwick Hyundai competing in the EV section; and Brendan Ferraz of John Hughes Hyundai competing in the ICE section.

Both technicians competed in the Hyundai Motor Corporation Australia (HMCA) national competition at its head office in Sydney’s Macquarie Park earlier this year against their peers from across the Hyundai network.

HMCA said that Freddy Lee has won silver in the EV section placing him second in the world for EV technicians.

Brendan Ferraz competed admirably in the ICE section but did not achieve a placing. He still stands as one of the best ICE technicians in the world.

HMCA said it recognises that behind the scenes, the dealer principals and service managers who ensured their technicians were able to attend additional training over the past few months.

It also thanked regional teams arranged for additional training to assist both Freddy and Brendan to be fully briefed for the competition making them familiar with all diagnostics and systems, and the training team for providing feedback on their methods and diagnostic approach.

The competition consists of vehicles with induced faults across electrical, chassis and engines and then a separate specialty sections consisting of ICE or EV faults.

The competitors are then judged on their processes, diagnosing skills, and ultimately attempting to resolve and repair the fault. 

HMCA senior manager of aftersales support, Steven Martens – who supported the two representatives in South Korea at the competition – said this year there was also a virtual reality section where competitors had to wear goggles, hold joysticks, and carry out repairs in the virtual world.

“I had the pleasure of accompanying both Freddy Lee and Brendan Ferraz while competing in the World Skills Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. The competition was tough, with 53 countries and just over 150 competitors across passenger and commercial vehicles competing,” he said.

“Both Mr Lee and Mr Ferraz performed exceptionally well.

“Australia has won the competition three times – the only country to have done so – and we are held in high regard, I can honestly say Mr Lee and Mr Ferraz represented HMCA with absolute professionalism.”

Mr Martens explained that the competition comprises vehicles with induced faults across electrical, engine, and chassis components that require diagnosis, as well as a separate speciality section comprising EV or ICE faults.

Competitors are judged on their processes, diagnostic skills, and ultimately for their ability to resolve and repair the issue.

“I would also like to give a shout-out and congratulations to our HMCA technical training team,” he added.

“Our technical trainers provide these technicians with the knowledge and skill require to diagnose and repair our vehicles in everyday life, let alone compete on the international stage with the very best technicians from all around the world. It is a credit to them.”