News 6 www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2026 Top Awards news Top Awards deadline extended ahead of UK Garage & Bodyshop Event If you have been thinking about entering the Top Awards 2026, but just haven’t got round to it yet, there’s good news. The entry deadline has now been extended to June 12, giving technicians, apprentices and garage owners extra time to get involved and find out what the competition is really all about. The extension to the Top Awards entry deadline also means visitors heading to the upcoming UK Garage & Bodyshop Event at the NEC Birmingham will have the perfect opportunity to come and chat with the team behind the awards in person. You’ll find the Aftermarket and Top Awards team on stand K58 throughout the show, where Ryan, Hope and the rest of the team will be on hand to answer questions, explain the process and hopefully reassure anyone who thinks the competition “isn’t for them”. One thing that has become clear from speaking to previous entrants over the years is that the Top Awards is about far more than simply winning a trophy at the end of it. In fact, many people who never lifted the title still describe entering as one of the most valuable things they have done for themselves and their business. The process gives entrants a genuine opportunity to benchmark themselves against the best in the industry, identify strengths and weaknesses, build confidence and often discover areas of improvement they may never have spotted otherwise. For garage owners, especially, it can act as a surprisingly useful business health check. For technicians, meanwhile, the competition offers the chance to test themselves in a real-world environment under pressure, while also networking with like-minded people who genuinely care about doing the job properly. That is one of the reasons the awards continue to carry so much respect across the sector. Semi-finalists and finalists are not chosen through popularity or nominations alone. They have to prove themselves through rigorous live assessments, technical challenges and detailed judging. The competition begins with online assessments for Top Technician, Top Apprentice, and Top Garage entrants, then progresses through increasingly demanding stages, culminating in the live finals at Delphi Academy later in the year. Whether you are an experienced technician, a growing garage business or an apprentice wanting to push yourself further, there is very little downside to taking part and potentially a huge amount to gain. If you are visiting the show, make a point of stopping by stand K58 and having a chat with the team. Even if you are still undecided, you will quickly realise why so many previous entrants describe getting involved as a turning point in their careers or business journey. Sometimes the hardest part is simply filling in the form. But it really isn’t that hard. To register and complete the first stage, head to: aftermarketonline.net/competition HELLA UK has confirmed its first-ever sponsorship of the Top Awards, where the company will fund the catering at the live November finals, which has been set up to raise vital donations for automotive industry charity, Ben. “We are incredibly proud to sponsor the catering at this year’s Top Awards finals,” said Neil Grant, Managing Director at HELLA UK. “Backing the next generation of talent is a core priority for us. “The apprentices, technicians, and garage owners reaching this stage represent the very best of our industry. Providing a hot meal is a simple way to help them through a demanding day, while also highlighting the vital role Ben plays in strengthening our automotive community.” HELLA is funding the first 250 meals completely free of charge, with donations to Ben strongly encouraged. Hella Gutmann’s Technical and Training Manager, Steve Fox, will also return to the Top Garage judging panel, bringing his technical expertise and industry insight to this year’s finals. Marking the ultimate stage of a series widely regarded as ‘the one to win’, the Top Awards continues to set the benchmark for excellence, recognising achievement across Top Apprentice, Top Technician and Top Garage. +(//$ DQQRXQFHV ᎮUVW WLPH 7RS $ZDUGV VSRQVRUVKLS ZLWK IRFXVHG VXSSRUW IRU %HQ
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=