IRTE Northern Centre

SOE launches new digital experience with three new websites for members and industry.

The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) is pleased to announce we have launched a new website, alongside dedicated new websites for irtec and IRTE Workshop Accreditation, making it easier for engineers, technicians, workshops and industry professionals to access the information, support and resources they need.

Check the new website out now at https://soe.org.uk/

⭐Commercial Vehicle - Young Engineer of the Year - Highly Commended!⭐

The next winner from this years' IRTE Northern Centre Young Engineer of the Year Awards is......

🎉BEN THOMAS from MULTEVO!🎉

Well done Ben from Multevo!

Pictured here is Jake Cowburn from Multevo, Ben Thomas from Multevo and Chris Grime, IRTE Northern Centre Committee Member.

Following the 2026 Young Engineer and Apprentice Awards the IRTE Northern Centre paid tribute to the management and staff at Preston Scania for their Excellence in Road Transport Engineering Training.

Northern Centre Hon. Secretary Corneilius Mitchell informed those present at the Awards Presentation that was held as part of the Inaugural TECHkow event, that the company who are located at Walton Summit near Preston have submitted every year since its inception a high quality and extremely informative submission relating to any of their apprentices or young skilled members of staff who had been put forward by them, into the annual awards held by the Northern centre.

Corneilius spoke of the dedication of the management team at Preston Scania who ensure that all their young employees gained high levels of knowledge and skills through the various Scania training programs and how their staff make sure that the young engineers and apprentices are made to feel part of the team at Preston, which was clearly evident by their staff retention and advancement opportunities.

In recognition of this and their continued support to the IRTE Northern Centre through CPD Presentations and dinner dance attendance the centre Hon. Chairman Tom Reed presented a Certificate and Centre Shield to Preston Scania Shift Supervisor Ady Mather who had attended the event in support of their 2026 entrant Charlie Gildea, who had earlier in the evening collected the commercial vehicle Apprentice Accolade.

Scania UK

Last night, the IRTE Northern Centre Committee met for the first time this season!

The group meet to make sure we are delivering on our commitment to our members and guests.

Amongst other items, we covered:-

- 2026/2027 CPD Programme
- Technical Updates
- Legislation Updates
- Dinner Dance 2026

MPRS - Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme

If you came to our TechKNOW event in June this year, you may have heard IRTE Northern Centre Committee Member, Chris Grime, talk about MPRS.

The MPRS is an independent accreditation scheme which evaluates and recognises the quality of maintenance, facilities, and staff competence of commercial vehicle workshops of all sizes. You can read more about MPRS at the link below:-

https://soe.org.uk/our-services/mprs/

MPRS The Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme (MPRS) is designed to evaluate and recognise the quality of maintenance, facilities, and staff competence of commercial vehicle workshops, addressing the industry’s growing need for consistency, safety and future readiness.

This weekend, IRTE Northern Centre Hon. Chairman Tom Reed visited the show in Doncaster!

As well as military re-enactments and traders, there were a large number of military vehicles on display. Here are just some of the trucks that were proudly shown by their owners and custodians.

Do you know what these trucks are?

⭐Commercial Vehicle - Young Engineer of the Year!⭐

The next winner from this years' IRTE Northern Centre Young Engineer of the Year Awards is......

🎉HARRISON CROWE from NRG RIVERSIDE!🎉

Well done Harrison!

⭐Commercial Vehicle Apprentice - Young Engineer of the Year!⭐

The next winner from this years' IRTE Northern Centre Young Engineer of the Year Awards is......

🎉CHARLIE GILDEA from PRESTON SCANIA!🎉

Well done Luke!

Preston Scania